Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera yesterday ordered the revival of charges, which were earlier dismissed, against the suspected financier of the shabu laboratory that was raided by police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in La Union on July 9 last year.

Devanadera issued the order after the Office of the President overturned a resolution that was earlier approved by her predecessor, former Justice Secretary and now Chief Presidential Legal Adviser Raul Gonzalez, that cleared Joselito Artuz alias George Cordero, the suspected financier of the clandestine drug laboratory in Barangay Bimmotobot in Naguilian town of La Union.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, a non lawyer, reversed Gonzalez’s earlier findings that there was no due process accorded to Artuz.

"Based on the review, there is evidence showing will participation of Artuz. Also, his name was mentioned by other witnesses," Devanadera said. Following Devanadera’s order, Artuz’s name would be included as one of the accused in the pending case involving the shabu laboratory.

According to Ermita’s review Gonzalez’s resolution, due process was accorded to Artuz since he even had a barrage of lawyers during preliminary investigation and that he was also positively identified by a witness as one of the main players in the illegal drug trade in the province.

Devanadera said new prosecutors would be assigned to handle the case against Artuz and his co-accused. "This case is important since it has proven the significance of vigilance of community in drug cases," she explained.

Artuz was arrested along with several Chinese nationals during the raid. He was charged with conspiring in the manufacture of shabu as penalized under Article II of the RA 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Dangerous Act of 2002).

Seized were six truckloads of essential raw materials, equipment, precursors, chemical and paraphernalia used in the making of shabu.

Aside from Artuz and several Chinese nationals who were also arrested in the raid, 44 other police officers were implicated in the case after a re-investigation.

The Office of the La Union Provincial Prosecutor later recommended the filing of charges against Artuz, alleged drug protector Supt. Dionicio Borromeo and a Chinese national.

Last June 2, Artuz filed a petition for review after a witness recanted his statement that implicated him. On the same day, Gonzalez issued a resolution no. IS 06-615-LU-BG directing the provincial prosecutor to withdraw the information filed against Artuz.

The provincial prosecutor ordered the dismissal of cases against other suspects, namely PO3 Joey Abang, PO1 Rodolfo Damian, PO2 Walter Banan, and caretaker Eusebio Tangalin.

Gonzalez left the DOJ last June 15 after he was appointed as chief presidential legal adviser.

This prompted concerned residents led by La Union Bishop Artemio Rillera to appeal the DOJ resolution.

As prescribed by Presidential Executive Order 253, all drug cases dismissed in court since Jan. 29 should be forwarded to the Office of the President for review.

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