THE Department of Justice (DOJ) started on Friday its preliminary investigation on the complaints relative to the controversy-marred anti-illegal drugs operation which yielded 990 kilograms of shabu in Tondo, Manila two years ago.
In a statement, the DOJ said its preliminary investigation aimed to formally furnish the 74 respondents copies of the complaints filed against them and give them an opportunity to file their counter-affidavits.
The two complaints were filed by the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) and the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG).
The complaints stemmed from the findings submitted to the DOJ by the NAPOLCOM in their fact-finding inquiry report.
Of the 74 respondents, only 59 appeared to personally receive the complaints, and were given until May 30, 2024 to file their counter-affidavits.
A preliminary investigation was set on May 2, 2024 to give chance to those who failed to appear to personally receive the complaint sheets against them.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla vowed that the DOJ will exhaust all means necessary to find the truth about the issue.
“The department is relentless in getting into the bottom of this case. We are giving all the parties equal opportunities to ensure that there will be no let-up and that airtight cases will be filed and will not just go to waste,” he said.
“Nobody will be spared from this investigation,” Remulla added.
NAPOLCOM Commissioners Edilberto DC Leonardo and Ricardo Bernabe III swore on the veracity and truthfulness of the fact-finding report submitted by the NAPOLCOM.
