Mistake forces ‘shabu cop’ to be arraigned anew

MANILA, Philippines - A correction in the charge sheet regarding the amount of illegal drugs seized from a police officer in Manila will force him to face another arraignment.

This developed after prosecutors yesterday filed a motion to amend information before the Manila regional trial court seeking to correct a mistake in the amount of drugs seized from Police Officer 2 Jolly Aliangan.

The court ordered Aliangan to submit a comment on the motion, which would soon be submitted for resolution.

If the motion is granted, Aliangan would be arraigned again.

Aliangan is facing charges of possession of illegal drugs, illegal possession of firearms and obstruction of justice.

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) raided his house on May 25 on suspicions he was “recycling” seized illegal drugs.

Aliangan was an operative of the Regional Anti-Illegal Drugs unit of the National Capital Region Police Office  and, at the time of his arrest, was working for the District Anti-Illegal Drugs (DAID) of the Manila Police District.

Aside from Aliangan, his wife Ronalie and his cousin, Jeffrey Gutierrez, was also arrested.

Chief State Prosecutor Claro Arellano said there was a discrepancy in the amount of shabu seized from Aliangan.

“As reflected in the first certification issued by the chemist and the dangerous drug report issued by the same chemist…from 215.3617 grams to 214.123 grams,” Arellano said.

Aliangan earlier pleaded not guilty from the previous arraignment on June 13.

He also claimed the NBI agents were demanding P6.91 million from him in exchange for dropping the charges.