Senate eyes wiretapping vs illegal drugs

ILOILO CITY—The prosecution of drug lords and leaders of drug syndicates would get a boost with the proposed exemption of operations against illegal drugs from the Anti-Wiretapping Law, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

Paul Ledesma, PDEA Western Visayas director, said the proposed amendments to Republic Act No. 4200 introduced in the Senate on Wednesday would strengthen the campaign to gather evidence and prosecute drug lords and financiers.

“This will be a big help to us in hitting the command and control (of drug groups) because evidence gathered through wiretapping will be admissible in court,” Ledesma told the Inquirer.

Sen. Grace Poe, chair of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, announced the proposal to introduce the exemptions during a public hearing on the Nov. 19, 2015, attempted break-in at radio station dyOK Aksyon Radyo in Iloilo City.

Ledesma earlier identified Melvin Odicta as the one leading several men who tried to enter a building where the radio station holds office.

Odicta, his son and namesake Melvin Jr., Iloilo City village councilor Jesus “Jing-Jing” Espinosa Jr. and several unidentified persons are facing criminal complaints for the attempted break-in.

Ledesma also identified Odicta as the leader of one of  two drug groups operating in the city.

But PDEA has not filed a complaint against Odicta because the agency has been unable to get enough evidence to file criminal cases and prosecute him.

Odicta has repeatedly denied the allegations and has filed a P15.3-million libel suit against dyOK station manager John Paul Tia and three other officers and staffers of the station.

The station has been airing commentaries against illegal drugs and the attempted break-in is believed to be related to these commentaries.