Teen’s BF, friends to be summoned

CEBU, Philippines — “We exhausted all possible ways.”

This was the statement of Cebu City Police Office Director Royina Garma to The FREEMAN on the alleged drug overdose victim Ashley Abad’s stunted case investigation.

Three weeks after Abad had died, the witnesses, her boyfriend and other friends remained uncooperative, impacting the progress of the probe.

In a press conference, Garma said she sent letters to people who were with Abad during the party on January 19.

Abad collapsed during the party. She died hours after she was brought to the hospital.

“Wala naman silang dapat ikatakot, we just want them to shed light on the incident. Hindi naman sila suspects,” Garma said.

Based on initial reports from the hospital and the police, the victim may have died of “unusual” toxicity level after taking a party drug.

The result of the autopsy conducted last January 26 has not been shared yet.

Abad’s remains had been embalmed, which would need for a sophisticated test equipment to figure the cause of her death.

The test to determine this is pending with the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory in Manila, according to Garma.

“Natatagalan, kasi marami ding trabaho na ginagawa ang Crime Laboratory, but we have done our best to follow-up para lang mapadali ang investigation,” Garma said.

CCPO Spokesperson Senior Inspector Arieza Otida said Garma visited the hospital where Abad was brought to get some information.

"Iya giadto ang doctor sa Perpetual, if makahatag ba statement as to Ashley's admission during the incident, pero until now wala pa," Otida said.

Garma reiterated that they want to find out, if a crime took place or if Ashley voluntarily took the drug without anyone forcing her.

She said they have to establish this before proceeding to the next step.

If a crime is evident, homicide charges will be filed against the accused. Then, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7 will be tapped to prepare the subpoena against those tagged in the incident.

If not, then the persons Abad was with during the party will be invited for questioning to extract information on the source of the party drug.

The family of Abad met with President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang the other night.

It was not immediately learned what transpired during the meeting.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7 Director Wardley Getalla said they have no jurisdiction to the investigation conducted by the CCPO because it is not clear yet if Abad died of illegal drugs.

However, once the results from the Crime Laboratory is out, they will step in and conduct the necessary probe to hold those liable persons be charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002.

“Hanggat hindi lumalabas ang result (on her cause of death), on ecstacy doon pa lang may jurisdiction, or violation of RA 9165. Hintayin natin ang investigation sa PNP, which is ang premise nila ay yung pagkamatay para makapag-conduct kami afterwards,” Getalla said. — GAN, (FREEMAN)