Re-investigation on the case against Japanese national on illegal drugs, reset

Miami
October 10, 2008
Story: Re-investigation on the case against Japanese national on illegal drugs, reset

The re-investigation on the Japanese national in Pasay Prosecutor’s Office in relation to illegal drugs was reset because the suspect’s lawyer did not show up.

Assistant Prosecutor Johnny Umpong was scheduled to re-investigate the case filed by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) against Hitomi Hasegawa.

Hasegawa was arrested by the PDEA at Ninoy Aquino International Airport for bringing almost half a kilo of shabu. She was bound for Fukuka, Japan.

Umpong also wondered why the lawyer of Hasegawa did not show-up on the scheduled re-investigation wherein it was them who asked the court for re-investigation.

Even Hasegawa do not know where is her lawyer, she is not even aware that she has a re-investigation for the day.

The lawyer was identified as Atty. Antonio Villena. He filed last September 29, at Pasay Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 110. The Court ordered to re-investigate the case on what should be the charge against Hasegawa on the same date.

The re-investigation that filed by the lawyer of Hasegawa is to prove that she is innocent on the charge that filed against her by the PDEA. The PDEA filed violation of Section 5 of RA 9165 or transportation of illegal drugs. But the prosecutor who held the first investigation filed only violation of section 11 or possession of illegal drugs to Pasay RTC Branch 110.

Meanwhile, the PDEA still insisting that the case should be elevated back to violation of Section 5 of RA 9165 or transportation of illegal drugs because Hasegawa was bound for Japan when she was arrested.