COURT ACQUITS COUPLE IN DRUGS CASE
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| Judge Abundiente |
By FRANK E. DOSDOS, JR.
Iligan City
In its decision dated 12 January 2016, the Regional Trial Court, Branch 4, Iligan City, acquitted the couple who were caught by PDEA Agents on January 3, 2014 in the premises of Gaisano Mall allegedly in possession of 1,156.63 grams of Shabu.
The said couple, Anisha Abdullah y Domato and Taha M. Domato together with Ranilo Gatcho were subsequently charged for violation of R. A. 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
In its decision dated 12 January 2016, the Regional Trial Court, Branch 4, Iligan City, acquitted the couple who were caught by PDEA Agents on January 3, 2014 in the premises of Gaisano Mall allegedly in possession of 1,156.63 grams of Shabu.
The said couple, Anisha Abdullah y Domato and Taha M. Domato together with Ranilo Gatcho were subsequently charged for violation of R. A. 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
In his 24-page decision, Presiding Judge Arthur L. Abundiente stated that the “evidence failed to established the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt.”
The Decision stated, “Considering the gravity of the offense charge, the Court had to closely examine and scrutinize the evidence of both parties and weigh the same in the balance after doing its best in segregating the ‘chaffs from the grains,’ and differentiating truths from half-truths and lies. In appreciating the testimonies of the witnesses therefore, one must considered the well-settled standard that for a testimony to be believed, the same must not only emanate from a credible witness, but that the testimony itself must be credible, and is in accord with ordinary human experience.”
The findings of the Court started from page 11 and went on to page 23.
Finally, the Decision stated two grounds for the dismissal:
“In Criminal Case No. 17463, for failure of the evidence to establish the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt, the guilt of ANISAH ABDULLAH, she is hereby ACQUITTED of the offense charged.
In Criminal Case No. 17464, for failure of the prosecutor to prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt, accused TAHA ABDULLAH is hereby acquitted of the offense charged.”
The Decision further stated: “The Warden of the BJMP having custody of ANISAH ABDULLAH and TAHA ABDULLAH is hereby directed to immediately release ANISHA ABDULLAH and TAHA ABDULAH from detention unless they are being charged of other crimes which will justify their continued detention
The confiscated drugs were also ordered destroyed in accordance with law.
