THE Department of Justice on Tuesday commenced its preliminary investigation on the drug charges filed against the six men who were arrested in drug busts in San Juan City last Dec. 23.
In their counter-affidavits, the three Filipino respondents—Abdullah Mahmod Jahmal, Salim Cocodao Arafat and Basher Tawaki Jamal—denied the drug charges and claimed they were just passing the area when they were arrested.
The three other Chinese respondents—Shi Gui Xiong, Che Wen De and Wu Li Yong—failed to submit answers to the charges because of the absence of lawyers.
Assistant State Prosecutors Mary Jane Sytat and Ethel Rhea Suril then gave them until the next hearing on Friday, Jan. 6, to submit their counter-affidavits through assistance of a public attorney.