in News & Culture, Politics, Social Media

 Netizens violently react to Juanito Remulla III’s acquittal on drug charges

The court further stated that merely accepting a package during a controlled delivery operation is not sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the recipient is participating in illegal activity.

0 Votes

Juanito Remulla III, son of Philippine Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla was cleared of illegal drug possession charges by a Las Piñas Regional Trial Court.

The court found that there was insufficient evidence to prove that Remulla had knowingly possessed the alleged illegal drugs. Remulla was arrested on October 11 during a controlled delivery operation by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group.

“There is reasonable doubt that the accused received and possessed the parcel delivered to him with knowledge, consciousness, and awareness that said parcel contained marijuana,” it said.

The court further stated that merely accepting a package during a controlled delivery operation is not sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the recipient is participating in illegal activity. The prosecution must provide additional evidence to show that the accused had knowledge that the package contained illegal substances. Without this additional evidence, there is reasonable doubt that the accused received and possessed the package with the intention of engaging in unlawful activity.

“Unfortunately, apart from showing that the package or parcel was handed to the accused, the prosecution did not present other evidence to show that the former knew that it contained marijuana,” it said.

While law enforcement officers are typically given the benefit of the doubt in regard to their performance of their duties, the court stated that this cannot override the accused’s constitutional rights. Even if law enforcement officers appear to be acting in accordance with the law, if there are irregularities or lapses in their behavior, the presumption of regularity is negated. This is because it cannot be used to defend one’s constitutional rights.

After the court handed down its decision, Juanito Remulla III was able to leave the Las Piñas City Jail, wearing sunglasses and a black shirt. He did not speak to the media and immediately headed for a vehicle.

Pearlito Campanilla, Remulla III’s lawyer said. “…sa mga affidavit of arrest at sa testimony mismo ng mga PDEA agent, inamin nila na nung dumating ‘yung parcel sa bahay ni Mr. Remulla, sinabi niya hindi ko ine-expect ‘yan…and nung tinanong siya, kilala mo ba ‘yung shipper na si Benjamin Hopman, ang sabi niya, hindi ko kilala ‘yan.”

According to Campanilla, Juanito provided identification with the name “Juanito Jose Remulla III” when receiving the package, but the shipping form listed the name as “Jose Juanito Remulla”. He also said that Juanito was holding the box when he was arrested.

“Hindi pa niya alam kung ano yung nakalagay sa loob ng box, hinuli na siya, inaresto na siya,” the lawyer said.

After the court ruled in Remulla’s favor, his defense team said they would seek to have him released from jail immediately.

Netizens were disappointed with the justice system but expected results.

Jesus Crispin RemullaJuanito Remulla IIIPDEA

Written by Charles Teves

Wil Dasovich passes out mid-air while Bungee jumping in Switzerland  

Vlogger Khifer Brosse arrested over harassment of a minor