chain of custody of evidence in drugs cases

7/24/2019 Chain of Custody of Evidence in Drugs Cases

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Chain of custody of evidence in drugs cases; strict interpretation applied

THIRD DIVISION

"x x x.

The appeal is meritorious.

Section 21 of Republic ct No. !1# pro$i%es the proce%ure to be follo&e% in the sei'ure an%custo%( of prohibite% %ru)s* to &it+

Section 21. ,usto%( an% Disposition of ,onfiscate%* Sei'e%* an%-or Surren%ere% Dan)erousDru)s* lant Sources of Dan)erous Dru)s* ,ontrolle% recursors an% /ssential ,hemicals*Instruments-araphernalia an%-or 0aborator( /uipment. The D/ shall tae char)e an% ha$ecusto%( of all %an)erous %ru)s* plant sources of %an)erous %ru)s* controlle% precursors an%essential chemicals* as &ell as instruments-paraphernalia an%-or laborator( euipment soconfiscate%* sei'e% an%-or surren%ere%* for proper %isposition in the follo&in) manner+

314 The apprehen%in) team ha$in) initial custo%( an% control of the %ru)s shall* imme%iatel(after sei'ure an% confiscation* ph(sicall( in$entor( an% photo)raph the same in the presence ofthe accuse% or the person-s from &hom such items &ere confiscate% an%-or sei'e%* or his-herrepresentati$e or counsel* a representati$e from the me%ia an% the Department of 5ustice3DO54* an% an( electe% public official &ho shall be reuire% to si)n the copies of the in$entor(an% be )i$en a cop( thereof6xxx

The pro$isions of rticle II* Section 213a4 of the Implementin) Rules an% Re)ulations 3IRR4 ofRepublic ct No. !1# pro$i%e+

xxx3a4 The apprehen%in) office-team ha$in) initial custo%( an% control of the %ru)s shall*imme%iatel( after sei'ure an% confiscation* ph(sicall( in$entor( an% photo)raph the same in thepresence of the accuse% or the person-s from &hom such items &ere confiscate% an%-or sei'e%*or his-her representati$e or counsel* a representati$e from the me%ia an% the Department of5ustice 3DO54* an% an( electe% public official &ho shall be reuire% to si)n the copies of thein$entor( an% be )i$en a cop( thereof+ ro$i%e%* that the ph(sical in$entor( an% photo)raphshall be con%ucte% at the place &here the search &arrant is ser$e%6 or at the nearest policestation or at the nearest office of the apprehen%in) officer-team* &hiche$er is practicable* in caseof &arrantless sei'ures6 ro$i%e%* further that non7compliance &ith these reuirements un%er

8ustifiable )roun%s* as lon) as the inte)rit( an% the e$i%entiar( $alue of the sei'e% items are

properl( preser$e% b( the apprehen%in) officer-team* shall not ren%er $oi% an% in$ali% suchsei'ures of an% custo%( o$er sai% items6xxx

re$ie& of the recor%s establishes that the aforestate% proce%ure lai% %o&n b( Republic ct No.!1# an% its IRR &as not follo&e%. Se$eral lapses on the part of the bu(7bust team are rea%il(apparent. To start &ith* no photo)raph of the sei'e% shabu &as taen. Secon%l(* the bu(7bustteam %i% not imme%iatel( mar the sei'e% shabu at the scene of the crime an% in the presenceof Relato an% &itnesses. Thir%l(* althou)h there &as testimon( about the marin) of the sei'e%items bein) ma%e at the police station* the recor%s %o not sho& that the marin) &as %one inthe presence of Relato or his chosen representati$e. n%* fourthl(* no representati$e of theme%ia an% the Department of 5ustice* or an( electe% official atten%e% the tain) of the ph(sicalin$entor( an% to si)n the in$entor(.

9n%er the fore)oin) rules* the marin) imme%iatel( after sei'ure is the startin) point in thecusto%ial lin* because succee%in) han%lers of the prohibite% %ru)s or relate% items &ill use the

marin)s as reference. It further ser$es to se)re)ate the mare% e$i%ence from the corpus of allother similar an% relate% e$i%ence from the time the( are sei'e% from the accuse% until the( are

%ispose% of at the en% of the criminal procee%in)s* ob$iatin) s&itchin)* :plantin)*; orcontamination of e$i%ence.11 It is crucial in ensurin) the inte)rit( of the chain of custo%(* &hichis %efine% in Section 13b4 of Dan)erous Dru)s


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Section #.Sale, Trading, Administration, Dispensation,Delivery, Distribution and Transportation of Dangerous Drugsand/or Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals.C Thepenalt( of life imprisonment to %eath an% a fine ran)in) fromi$e hun%re% thousan% pesos 3#==*===.==4 to Ten millionpesos 31=*===*===.==4 shall be impose% upon an( person*&ho* unless* authori'e% b( la&* shall sell* tra%e* a%minister*%ispense* %eli$er* )i$e a&a( to another* %istribute* %ispatch* intransit or transport an( %an)erous %ru)* inclu%in) an( an% allspecies of opium popp( re)ar%less of the uantit( an% purit(in$ol$e%* or shall act as a broer in an( such transactions.x x x

Section 11. Possession of Dangerous Drugs. C The penalt( of lifeimprisonment to %eath an% a fine ran)in) from i$e hun%re% thousan% pesos

3#==*===.==4 to Ten million pesos 31=*===*===.==4 shall be impose% uponan( person* &ho* unless authori'e% b( la&* shall possess an( %an)erous%ru) in the follo&in) uantities* re)ar%less of the %e)ree of purit( thereof+

x x xOther&ise* if the uantit( in$ol$e% is less than the

fore)oin) uantities* the penalties shall be )ra%uate% as follo&s+x x x

3@4 Imprisonment of t&el$e 3124 (ears an% one 314 %a( to t&ent( 32=4(ears an% a fine ran)in) from Three hun%re% thousan% pesos 3@==*===.==4to our hun%re% thousan% pesos 3

A==*===.==4* if the uantities of%an)erous %ru)s are less than fi$e 3#4 )rams of opium* morphine* heroin*cocaine* or cocaine h(%rochlori%e mari8uana resin or mari8uana resin oil*methamphetamine h(%rochlori%e or :shabu*; or other %an)erous %ru)s suchas* but not limite% to* EDE or :ecstac(*; E* TE* 0SD* FHhat ismaterial in prosecutions for ille)al sale of shabuis theproof that the transaction or sale actuall( too place*couple% &ith the presentation in court of the corpusdelictias e$i%ence.G1A

The reuisites for ille)al sale of shabu&erecompetentl( an% con$incin)l( pro$en b( therosecution. O2 Ta(a)* as the poseur7bu(er*atteste% that


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si)nal )i$en b( O2 Ta(a)* he an% the other membersof the team procee%e% to arrest


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reuire% to si)n the copies of the in$entor( an% be )i$en a cop(thereof+ ro$i%e%* that the ph(sical in$entor( an% photo)raph shall becon%ucte% at the place &here the search &arrant is ser$e%6 or at the nearestpolice station or at the nearest office of the apprehen%in) officer-team*&hiche$er is practicable* in case of &arrantless sei'ures6 ro$i%e%* further*that non7compliance &ith these reuirements un%er 8ustifiable )roun%s* aslon) as the inte)rit( an% the e$i%entiar( $alue of the sei'e% items areproperl( preser$e% b( the apprehen%in) officer-team* shall not ren%er $oi%

an% in$ali% such sei'ures of an% custo%( o$er sai% items6xxx

The rule on chain of custo%( un%er the fore)oin)

enactments expressl( %eman%s the i%entification of thepersons &ho han%le the confiscate% items for thepurpose of %ul( monitorin) the authori'e% mo$ementsof the ille)al %ru)s an%-or %ru) paraphernalia from thetime the( are sei'e% from the accuse% until the timethe( are presente% in court. In this re)ar%* Section 13b4of Dan)erous Dru)s e aresatisfie% that O2 Ta(a) an% SO1 JbaKe' brou)htthe confiscate% sachets of shabuto the police station

imme%iatel( after the bu(7bust operation* an% turne%

them o$er to the %ut( in$esti)ator* O2 ,astillo* formarin)6G2Bthat in their presence* O2 ,astillo mare%the sachet of shabusol% b(


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items that &ill be utili'e% in the %etermination of his)uilt or innocence.G@2

x x x."

The Importance of Strict ,ompliance of the In$entor( an% ,hain of ,usto%( ro$ision of R!1#

The Supreme ,ourt came out &ith a Rulin) of a case pertainin) to sale of %ru)s. This &as aclarification of earlier rulin)s of the hi)hest court of the lan% relati$e to the con%uct of in$entor(of the confiscate% items an% the proof of the chain of custo%( of the sai% items lea%in) to thepresentation of the sai% ob8ect e$i%ences in court. To rea% the ori)inal case in full please clicon the follo&in) lin+ http+--sc.8u%iciar(.)o$.ph-8urispru%ence-2=1=-au)ust2=1=-1B!=2!.htm

To appraise (ou of the ,ourt Rulin) that &oul% interest the rea%ers to rea% the case in full* the%ispositi$e portion is uote% $erbatim belo&+

TH/ ,O9RT?S R90INF

fter %ue consi%eration* &e resol$e to acuit the appellant for the prosecution?s failure to pro$ehis )uilt be(on% reasonable %oubt. Specificall(* the prosecution faile% to sho& that the policecomplie% &ith para)raph 1* Section 21* rticle II of R.. No. !1#* an% &ith the chain of custo%(reuirement of this ct.

The ,omprehensi$e Dan)erous Dru)s ct+ hat %i% (ou %o &ith the shabu
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2012/february2012/177320.htm#_ftn33http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2012/february2012/177320.htm#_ftn33


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+ The reuest for laborator( examination &as prepare% an% &as brou)ht to the ,rime 0ab. ofSolano* Nue$a Vi'ca(a* sir.

x x x x

M+ fter main) the reuest* &hat %i% (ou %o nextG* if an(G* Er. >itness

+ fter submission of the reuest to the ,rime 0ab.G* &e prepare% our 8oint affi%a$it forsubmission of the case to the ,ourt* sir.G#G2!

rom the fore)oin) exchan)es %urin) trial* it is e$i%ent that the apprehen%in) team* uponconfiscation of the %ru)* imme%iatel( brou)ht the appellant an% the sei'e% items to the policestation* an%* once there* ma%e the reuest for laborator( examination. No ph(sical in$entor( an%photo)raph of the sei'e% items &ere taen in the presence of the accuse% or his counsel* arepresentati$e from the me%ia an% the Department of 5ustice* an% an electi$e official. O@

lmare'* on cross7examination* &as unsure an% coul% not )i$e a cate)orical ans&er &henase% &hether he issue% a receipt for the shabu confiscate% from the appellant.GG@= t an(rate* no such receipt or certificate of in$entor( appears in the recor%s.

In se$eral cases* &e ha$e emphasi'e% the importance of compliance &ith the prescribe%proce%ure in the custo%( an% %isposition of the sei'e% %ru)s. >e ha$e repeate%l( %eclare% thatthe %e$iation from the stan%ar% proce%ure %ismall( compromises the inte)rit( of the e$i%ence. Ineople $. Eorales*GBG@1 &e acuitte% the accuse% for failure of the bu(7bust team tophoto)raph an% in$entor( the sei'e% items* &ithout )i$in) an( 8ustifiable )roun% for the non7obser$ance of the reuire% proce%ures. eople $. FarciaGG@2 lie&ise resulte% in an acuittal

because no ph(sical in$entor( &as e$er ma%e* an% no photo)raph of the sei'e% items &astaen un%er the circumstances reuire% b( R.. No. !1# an% its implementin) rules. Inhether the marin) ha%been %one in the presence of the appellant is not at all clear from the e$i%ence that merel(mentione% that the e$i%ence ha% been mare% after the appellant?s apprehension.

The secon% lin in the chain of custo%( is its turno$er from the apprehen%in) team to the policestation. O@ lmare' testifie% that the appellant &as brou)ht to the Dia%i olice Station after hisarrest. Ho&e$er* he faile% to i%entif( the person &ho ha% control an% possession of the sei'e%%ru) at the time of its transportation to the police station. In the absence of clear e$i%ence* &ecannot presume that O@ lmare'* as the poseur bu(er* han%le% the sei'e% sachet C to theexclusion of others C %urin) its transfer from the place of arrest an% confiscation to the police

station. The prosecution lie&ise faile% to present e$i%ence pertainin) to the i%entit( of the %ut(%es officer &ho recei$e% the plastic sachet containin) shabu from the bu(7bust team. This is


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particularl( si)nificant since the sei'e% specimen &as turne% o$er to the N ,rime 0aborator(onl( after t&o %a(s. It &as not* therefore* clear &ho ha% temporar( custo%( of the sei'e% items%urin) this si)nificant inter$enin) perio% of time. lthou)h the recor%s sho& that the reuest forlaborator( examination of the sei'e% plastic sachet &as prepare% b( ,aptain %e Vera* thee$i%ence %oes not sho& that he &as the official &ho recei$e% the mare% plastic sachet from thebu(7bust team.

s for the subseuent lins in the cha in of custo%(* the recor%s sho& that the sei'e% specimen&as for&ar%e% b( O@ lmare' to the N ,rime 0aborator( on December 2!* 2==@* &here it&as recei$e% b( O2 Dulnuan* an% later examine% b( SI Muintero. Ho&e$er* the person from&hom O@ lmare' recei$e% the sei'e% ille)al %ru) for transfer to the crime laborator( &as not

i%entifie%. s earlier %iscusse%* the i%entit( of the %ut( %es officer &ho recei$e% the shabu* as&ell as the person &ho ha% temporar( custo%( of the sei'e% items for t&o %a(s* ha% not beenestablishe%.

The proce%ural lapses mentione% abo$e sho& the )larin) )aps in the chain of custo%(* creatin)a reasonable %oubt &hether the %ru)s confiscate% from the appellant &ere the same %ru)s that&ere brou)ht to the crime laborator( for chemical anal(sis* an% e$entuall( offere% in court ase$i%ence. In the absence of concrete e$i%ence on the ille)al %ru)s bou)ht an% sol%* the bo%( ofthe crime C the corpus %elicti C has not been a%euatel( pro$en.G2=GAA In effect* theprosecution faile% to full( pro$e the elements of the crime char)e%* creatin) reasonable %oubt onthe appellant?s criminal liabilit(.

resumption of Re)ularit( in the erformance of Official Duties

In sustainin) the appellant?s con$iction* the , relie% on the e$i%entiar( presumption that official%uties ha$e been re)ularl( performe%. This presumption* it must be emphasi'e%* is notconclusi$e.G21GA# It cannot* b( itself* o$ercome the constitutional presumption of innocence.

n( taint of irre)ularit( affects the &hole performance an% shoul% mae the presumptionuna$ailable. In the present case* the failure of the apprehen%in) team to compl( &ith para)raph1* Section 21* rticle II of R.. No. !1#* an% &ith the chain of custo%( reuirement of this cteffecti$el( ne)ates this presumption. s &e explaine% in Ealill in $. eople+G22GA

The presumption of re)ularit( is merel( 8ust that C a mere presumption %isputable b( contrar(proof an% &hich &hen challen)e% b( the e$i%ence cannot be re)ar%e% as bin%in) truth. Suffice itto sa( that this presumption cannot prepon%erate o$er the presumption of innocence thatpre$ails if not o$erthro&n b( proof be(on% reasonable %oubt. In the present case the lac ofconclusi$e i%entification of the ille)al %ru)s alle)e%l( sei'e% from petitioner* couple% &ith theirre)ularit( in the manner b( &hich the same &ere place% un%er police custo%( before offere% incourt* stron)l( militates a fin%in) of )uilt.

>e are not unmin%ful of the pernicious effects of %ru)s in our societ(6 the( are lin)erin)mala%ies that %estro( families an% relationships* an% en)en%er crimes. The ,ourt is one &ith allthe a)encies concerne% in pursuin) an intensi$e an% unrelentin) campai)n a)ainst this social%ilemma. Re)ar%less of ho& much &e &ant to curb this menace* &e cannot %isre)ar% theprotection pro$i%e% b( the ,onstitution* most particularl( the presumption of innocencebesto&e% on the appellant. roof be(on% reasonable %oubt* or that uantum of proof sufficient topro%uce moral certaint( that &oul% con$ince an% satisf( the conscience of those &ho act in

8u%)ment* is in%ispensable to o$ercome this constitutional presumption. If the prosecution hasnot pro$e%* in the first place* all the elements of the crime char)e%* &hich in this case is thecorpus %elicti* then the appellant %eser$es no less than an acuittal.

>H/R/OR/* premises consi%ere%* &e hereb( R/V/RS/ an% S/T SID/ the Ea( 22* 2==BDecision of the ,ourt of ppeals in ,7F.R. ,R7H.,. No. =1#!B. ppellant elimon a)a%uan (Tama(o is hereb( ,M9ITT/D for failure of the prosecution to pro$e his )uilt be(on%

reasonable %oubt. He is or%ere% imme%iatel( R/0/S/D from %etention unless he is confine%for another la&ful cause.

0et a cop( of this Decision be furnishe% the Director*


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The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act: A Brief Background

R.*. (o. -+/ was enacted in 00 to pursue the State%s policy to 1safeguard the

integrity of its territory and the well2being of its citi3enry particularly the youth,

from the harmful effects of dangerous drugs on their physical and mental well2

being, and to defend the same against acts or omissions detrimental to their

development and preservation.4

R.*. (o. -+/ repealed and superseded R.*. (o. 5/, known as the 6angerous

6rugs *ct of +-7. Reali3ing that dangerous drugs are one of the most serious

social ills of the society at present, Congress saw the need to further enhance the

efficacy of the law against dangerous drugs. The new law thus mandates the

government to pursue an intensive and unrelenting campaign against the trafficking

and use of dangerous drugs and other similar substances through an integrated

system of planning, implementation and enforcement of anti2drug abuse policies,

programs and projects.'1(8/9

Illegal Sale of Drugs under Section 5 vis)*)vis the Inventory and

hotograph !equirement under Section "#

'n a prosecution for illegal sale of a prohibited drug under Section / of R.*. (o.

-+/, the prosecution must prove the following elements: +; the identity of the

buyer and the seller, the object, and the consideration< and ; the delivery of the

thing sold and the payment therefor. *ll these reuire evidence that the sale

transaction transpired, coupled with the presentation in court of the corpus delicti,

i.e.,the body or substance of the crime that establishes that a crime has actually

been committed, as shown by presenting the object of the illegal transaction.'$(

89To remove any doubt or uncertainty on the identity and integrity of the sei3ed

drug, evidence must definitely show that the illegal drug presented in court is

the same illegal drug actually recovered from the appellant< otherwise, the

prosecution for possession or for drug pushing under R.*. (o. -+/ fails.

'+(879

The reuired procedure on the sei3ure and custody of drugs is embodied in Section

+, paragraph +, *rticle '' of R.*. (o. -+/, which states:

+; The apprehending team having initial custody and control of the drugs shall,

immediately after sei3ure and confiscation, physically

inventory andphoto#raph the same in the presence of the accused or the

person=s from whom such items were confiscated and=or sei3ed, or his=her

representative or counsel, a representative from the media and the 6epartment of

>ustice 6#>;, and any elected public official who shall be reuired to sign the copies

of the inventory and be given a copy thereof8.9

This is implemented by Section +a;, *rticle '' of the Implementing Rules and

Regulationsof R.*. (o. -+/, which reads:

a; The apprehending officer=team having initial custody and control of the

drugs shall, immediately after sei3ure and confiscation, physically

inventoryandphoto#raphthe same in the presence of the accused or the

person=s from whom such items were confiscated and=or sei3ed, or his=her

representative or counsel, a representative from the media and the 6epartment of

>ustice 6#>;, and any elected public official who shall be reuired to sign the copies

of the inventory and be given a copy thereof: ?rovided, that the physical inventory

and photograph shall be conducted at the place where the search warrant is served

chain of custody of evidence in drugs cases

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