EDITORIAL - Hoping for a speedy resolution

President Rodrigo Duterte has stepped into the case of Ashley Abad, the 19-year-old girl who died of a suspected drug overdose last month, ordering the police to arrest the girl’s boyfriend and those who were with her during the events leading to her death.

During last Thursday’s meeting in Malacañang with Abad’s parents who sought his help, the president vowed justice for the girl, reiterating his warning against those who are into the illegal drug trade.

According to Police Regional Office-7 Director Debold Sinas, Abad’s boyfriend is now considered the primary suspect in her death. A subpoena against Nel Spencer Tiu will soon be issued through PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde, he added.

Abad reportedly died after unknowingly drinking a beverage laced with liquid ecstasy during an uptown area party the night before the Sinulog grand parade. Authorities are having a hard time in their investigation since no one from the victim’s companions would come out to shed light on the incident.

Now that the case has gained Duterte’s attention, the police should see to it that they should be able to solve it as soon as possible. As the president closely monitors its pace, authorities should exhaust all their resources to get to the bottom of the case.

Since Abad’s untimely death involved illegal drugs against which the Duterte administration is waging an aggressive war, all eyes are now following the case, giving the authorities intense pressure to immediately solve it.

Certainly, Abad’s case is not an ordinary one as it exploded in the midst of the government’s intensified war on drugs. However, as they aggressively examine every piece of evidence, this also an opportune time for the police and other concerned agencies to demonstrate to the public that they really mean business in the drive against the illegal trade.

While we want those responsible for Abad’s death to pay, we also hope for the speedy resolution of her case.