DOJ orders filing of drug raps vs American national

MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Justice (DOJ) ordered the filing of drug charges against American national Kevin Bryan Hills before the Makati court.

In a 12-page resolution released to the public Tuesday, Prosecutor General Claro Arellano approved the recommendation made by Assistant State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera and Associate Prosecution Attorney Anna Noreen Devanadera that Hills should not be allowed to post bail for his temporary liberty.

Hills was arrested by members of the Philippine National Police Anti-illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF) last Nov. 20. The authorities confiscated some 10 kilos of shabu worth P50 million from his rented condominium and a Pajero.

During preliminary investigation, Hills denied the allegation saying he was the “wrong target.

He added that there was no test buy contrary to claims of the police because on Nov. 7, he was with his family where they celebrated his birthday.

But the DOJ said alibi is the “weakest defense.”

“Unless clear and convincing evidence is adduced by respondent to prove that it was physically impossible for him to have been at the situscriminis (scene of the crime) when it was committed, his alibi cannot prevail,” the resolution read.

The DOJ added that since the illegal drugs were taken from his rented condominium and Pajero, “the finding of the illicit drugs and paraphernalia in the house owned by respondent raised the presumption of knowledge and standing alone, is sufficient to convict.”