Background and Rationale
- Addresses problem of unclaimed laboratory reports from PNP Crime Laboratories (2005-2008).
- Laboratory reports are crucial documentary evidence for filing criminal charges against drug suspects.
- Unclaimed reports waste resources and undermine PNP efforts for internal cleansing and transparency.
- Necessitates guidelines for requesting and processing laboratory exams to ensure accountability.
Definition of Terms
- Defines terms essential to understanding policy, including Dangerous Drugs, Drug-related Arrest, Clandestine Laboratory, Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals (CPECs), Drug Abuser, Mandatory Drug Test, Screening Test, Confirmatory Test, Specimen, Crime Laboratory, Laboratory Equipment, Laboratory Report, and Instrument.
Purpose and Objective
- Establishes systems and procedures for:
- Submitting requests to Crime Laboratory (CL) for examination of seized/confiscated drugs, chemicals, paraphernalia, equipment, and testing arrested suspects.
- Issuing and releasing laboratory examination results.
- Promotes accountability of PNP personnel regarding claim and handling of lab reports.
Implementing Guidelines and Policies
- Request submissions to CL must include details such as:
- Suspect’s identity and personal details.
- Purpose and type of operation.
- Date, time, place of arrest.
- Requesting party’s name and contact.
- Type and quantity of evidence.
- Lab results must be claimed within prescribed periods:
- Within 24 hours for seized drugs, with possibility of partial reports and final certification within next 24 hours.
- Within 24 hours for screening tests of arrested suspects.
- Within one week for confirmatory tests after screening results.
- Within 30 days for unknown chemicals/substances.
- Non-claim of results triggers notification by CL chief to appropriate commanding officers at various levels, depending on the requester’s assignment.
- Positive lab reports require immediate inquest recommendation and may trigger administrative investigation for non-compliance.
- Supervisors may be held liable under command responsibility for failures or abuses.
- Administrative cases do not preclude filing of criminal charges under RA 9165 or other laws.
Supervision and Reporting Requirements
- Task Force Commander (AIDSOTF) holds overall supervision.
- Regional Directors and Task Group Commanders supervise in their respective areas.
- NHQ Crime Laboratory and Regional Crime Lab Offices submit monthly consolidated reports on unclaimed lab results.
- DIDM and DPRM conduct pre-charge evaluations and summary dismissals of related misconduct.
- Monthly progress reports on case resolutions submitted to Task Force Commander and subsequently to Chief, PNP.
Effectivity and Repeals
- Circular is effective upon approval (May 18, 2009).
- Rescinds or modifies conflicting circulars/directives.
- Continues effect of other policies not inconsistent with this circular.