Aside from violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, the cases included bribery and obstruction of justice.
The City Prosecutors' Office received seven complaints Friday against Police Officer 2 Enrique Ayao, Jr. and PO3 Arnold Dechavez, and lawyer Marlon Melodias of the Public Attorneys' Office, who acted as counsel of a slain drug trafficker.
The Davao City Police Office has accused both Ayao and Dechavez for violations of Section 5 of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. The section refers to “the sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution and transportation of dangerous drugs and or controlled precursors and essential chemicals”.
The two officers were also accused of violating Presidential Proclamation 1829, for obstruction of justice, and Article 211-A of the Revised Penal Code, for qualified bribery.
Dechavez, who escaped from his cell early this week, was also sued for rape.
Both were temporarily detained at the Davao City Police compound following the filing of administrative cases for misconduct. Duterte has also asked for their summary dismissal.
Both Ayao and Dechavez were tagged as conduits of slain suspected drug dealer Luis Francisco, who was killed on October 2. Melodias was Francisco’s counsel.
The DCPO also filed three cases against Melodias for obstruction of justice, direct bribery and indirect bribery, as insisted by a witness in an affidavit.
Duterte said Wednesday the police could not exempt Melodias from the charges because he was in the affidavit. "Baka sila (DCPO) ang maipit sa Ombudsman" (Maybe they'll be faulted by the Ombudsman).
Cuy said a manhunt for Dechavez would be issued only after an arrest warrant would also be issued.
Duterte, who earlier this week said he would personally draft the complaints, warned against erring policemen dragged into illegal activities, especially those engaged in illegal drugs trafficking. "Magkamali kayo sa iba, huwag lang sa drugs. Kasi walang kalaban-laban ang mga biktima," (You can err on others, but not with drugs because the victims are helpless) he said.
No charges were filed however, against Parang, Maguindanao Mayor Talib Abo, who Duterte named 10 days ago as the leader of one of two large drug rings operating in Mindanao. Days after revealing Abo's alleged involvement in drug trafficking, Duterte said they are still searching for evidence.