A man found guilty of using illegal drugs cannot walk as a free man after rehabilitation as he was at the same time also sentenced to life imprisonment by the Special Anti-Drugs Court.
In a judgment issued by Baguio Regional Trial Court Branch 60 Presiding Judge Rufus Malecdan, Jr. on April 28, John Anthony Rosal, who was caught in an entrapment operation organized by the National Bureau of Investigation-CAR in October 2020, was found guilty for selling methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu to undercover agents of the NBI.
Rosal has long been monitored by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for selling and using shabu.
For drug use, the court has ordered Rosal to undergo rehabilitation in a government drug rehabilitation center for one year or until he is fully rehabilitated. But for the sale of illegal drugs, he was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Rosal was caught selling 18.02 grams shabu worth P45,000 to undercover agents of the NBI.
The court also ordered Rosal to pay a fine of P500,000.
Rosal’s prosecution was based solely on evidences submitted by NBI. He did not submit any evidence or testimony to refute the evidences and testimony, neither did his counsel cross examine the arresting agents.
The court said the prosecution was able to establish Rosal’s involvement in the drug trade, the chain of custody in the handling and turnover of evidence, and has proven beyond doubt that he should be convicted for violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. – Rimaliza A. Opiña
