The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) and the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) on Saturday maintained that the Department of Justice (DOJ) had received their requests for data on the government’s war on drugs. Belying the claim of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre, the PCIJ said the first request letter was received by the former’s staff at the Office of the Secretary on Aug. 9, 2016 and was forwarded to the DOJ Planning and Management Service headed by OIC Director Ryan Thomas on Aug. 24. The PCIJ said a follow-up letter from them and FLAG was received by Aguirre’s office last Sept. 1. ADVERTISEMENTThe PCIJ was reacting to the statement of Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella who, quoting Aguirre, said the DOJ had not received such requests. JE/rgaRELATED STORIESWar on drugs: No EO signed by Duterte, a chaos of numbersWar on drugs exceeds gains of first 6 months of 2016 – PDEA

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer October 09, 2016 06:38 UTC