Sotto wants drug pushers in jail during case review

Senate Majority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/LYN RILLON

Senator Vicente Sotto III asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday to withdraw a circular that allows the release of drug dealers while their cases are being studied.

“Do not release the drug dealer if there is a pending review of their case,” he said at the Senate inquiry looking into the killing of Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr.

He said that in 2004, there was a circular that placed those drug dealers with studied cases under custody. But during the time of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima in 2011, those who were with drug cases were allowed to be released.

“I call the attention of the DOJ to revert the old circular,” Sotto said.

“Anim na taong ginawa eh, asan na yung mga yan ngayon?” he added. CBB/rga