Amending the Anti-wiretapping Law will aid the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies in their fight against illegal drugs.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson who heads the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs earlier expressed his agreement in including drug cases in the exemptions for wiretapping.
He explained it can only be those cases concerning national security such as sedition, rebellion, and inciting to sedition.
In the hearing earlier, law enforcers admit that they are a having difficult time catching drug convicts who are still using communication gadgets inside the New Bilibid Prisons.
Through these gadgets, drug lords operate even while in jail.
“You cannot in any way of capable of intercepting electronic communication?” Sen. Lacson asked the PNP Chief in a senate hearing.
“No sir, we are not capable,” PNP Chief Dela Rosa replied.
But Sen. Lacson is skeptic to this.
He says PNP has enough equipment to wiretap devices.
“I know they have available equipment, tracking equipment, monitoring equipment. There is available. Whether or not they have procured it, whether through the procurement law or through other means,” Lacson said.
Sen. Leila De Lima, also agrees in amending the wiretapping law.
“I agree that we should consider relaxing the rules of the law of the Anti-wiretapping Law, in so far as the the convicts are concerned. Because they have no business, really having communication gadgets while inside the Bilibid,” said. Sen. De Lima.
The PNP supports it as well.
Though she agrees to amending the law, Sen. Leila De Lima insists there should be limits in wiretapping for it can be prone to abuse.
She says she is being wiretapped as well.
“They have repeatedly told me, they are saying, that my phones are tapped. Itold them, “I dont care.” Who’s violating the law here? who is violating my rights, especially my right to privacy?”
PNP, on the other hand, denies wiretapping the senator.
“She says she is being wiretapped, is it true? I’m doubting it. I am also thinkng if I am being wiretapped, because sometimes my phone loses signal. I suspect I am being wiretapped, but i hope not,” said Dela Rosa.
Meanwhile, Sen. De Lima is doubting the authenticity of new evidence pointing to two of her former employees having bank accounts related to drug operations.
These accounts were the alleged conduits used by De Lima to receive millions of pesos from drug lords in exchange of protection.
“That is an entire fabrication. First the existence of the accounts. That is a fabrication. I don’t think those two have those accounts. They’re instant millionaires,” said De Lima.
Department of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre confirms having these evidence, but says they are still studying them.
“Our investigation is not yet finished. We are still looking on how these will link to her or not,” Sec. Aguirre said in a statement.
The lady senator meanwhile is hoping DOJ and NBI will be fair in handling these alleged evidence against her.
“My appeal to Sec. Aguirre, to NBI, that they should not let themselves be used. I know that you are competent officials, the DOJ secretary and the NBI director. Don’t be a party to perjury or subornation of perjury,” De Lima addressed the DOJ and NBI. — Joyce Balancio | UNTV News & Rescue
The post Senate hearing highlights needed amendments on Anti-wiretapping Law appeared first on UNTV News.