The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) received information that Frias and his live-in partner, Marichu Suson, were selling shabu in Purok Mahigugmaon, Bacolod City. After conducting surveillance, PDEA agents formed a buy-bust team consisting of Agent Von Rian Tecson as team leader, Agent Novemar Pinanonang as the poseur-buyer, and Agent Theonette Solar as the arresting officer.
The team proceeded to Frias’ house, where the informant introduced Agent Pinanonang as a buyer. Frias handed over a plastic sachet containing a white crystalline substance, and Agent Pinanonang, in exchange, gave him a marked ₱500 bill. Upon executing the pre-arranged signal, the backup team arrested Frias. A frisk of Frias recovered another sachet of shabu and the buy-bust money, while Agent Solar frisked Suson and recovered another sachet.
The seized items were marked and inventoried at the scene in the presence of media representatives and barangay officials. The suspects were brought to the police station, and their arrest was recorded in the blotter. Agent Pinanonang then transported the seized items to the PDEA safe house, prepared a request for laboratory examination, and delivered them to Forensic Chemist Paul Jerome Puentespina, who confirmed that the specimens tested positive for methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu).
The Regional Trial Court (RTC) convicted Frias of violating Sections 5 and 11, Article II of Republic Act No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002). The Court of Appeals (CA) affirmed the conviction.
Did the PDEA Agents comply with the chain of custody rule?
Ans:
Yes, the PDEA Agents complied with the chain of custody rule since all the insulating witness are present.
Under the Chain of Custody rule of RA 9165 as amended, the insulating witnesses who must be present at the scene are the elected public official and a representative of the National Prosecution Service or the media who shall be required to sign the copies of the inventory and be given a copy thereof.
Here, the seized items were marked and inventoried at the scene in the presence of media representatives and barangay officials which is the required insulating witnesses under RA 9165 as amended where the combination of media or elected official or National Prosecution Service and elected official for the compliance of the chain of custody rule had been complied. Hence, the PDEA agents strictly followed the chain of custody rule.

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