Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chairman of the House Quad Committee, expressed deep concerns over the Duterte administration’s war on drugs, claiming that justice had failed under the campaign. During the 14th hearing of the Quad Committee, Barbers slammed the legal system for convicting mere “fall guys” while the masterminds behind billions of pesos in illegal drug smuggling remain free.
Barbers revealed that innocent individuals were imprisoned for up to 40 years, while the actual perpetrators of large-scale drug trafficking avoided prosecution. The congressman pointed out the suspicious move of blaming small-time players for a massive drug shipment worth P12 billion, an act he said was done to cover up the involvement of high-profile figures.
Among those allegedly used as “scapegoats” were businessman Mark Taguba, warehouse guard Fidel Dee, and former Bureau of Customs employee Jimmy Guban, who were all tied to high-profile drug cases. Barbers vowed that the Quad Committee would correct the perceived injustice against these individuals once sufficient evidence is provided.
He also raised alarms over officials involved in the cases being promoted despite their roles in convicting alleged “fall guys.” The congressman called on the Department of Justice to revisit these cases and hold the real culprits accountable for their crimes.
