THE DAVAO City Police Office (DCPO) tapped the local judiciary to conduct a specialized writeshop on Tuesday, March 24, focusing on the meticulous handling of seized evidence.
The seminar brought together 40 personnel from the City Special Operations Group (CSOG) and drug enforcement units from 19 police stations to eliminate technical errors in the tagging and preservation of illegal drugs that often lead to dismissed cases.
Acting Executive Judge Marie Estrellita Tolintino-Rojas of RTC Branch 17 emphasized that capacity-building is the backbone of a successful prosecution.
Tolintino-Rojas told investigators that proper handling and tagging are vital in preserving the integrity of evidence.
Representing city police director Col Mannan Muarip, Lt. Col Nolan Raquid reminded officers that in the world of narcotics investigation, “haste makes waste.”
He urged investigators to remain detail-oriented, noting that the outcome of a case often hinges on the initial minutes of evidence collection at the crime scene.
The collaboration highlights a strengthening “justice zone” in Davao, where the police and the courts work in tandem to ensure that due process is strictly followed and justice is served fairly.
