G.R. No. 229205. March 6, 2019

G.R. No. 229205. March 6, 2019
 * People of the Philippines Vs. Eduardo Catinguel y Viray
 * G.R. No. 229205. March 6, 2019
 * http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2019/march2019/229205.pdf

Info

 * The four critical links that must be established in the chain of custody of the dangerous drugs are as follows:
 * (1) the seizure and marking, if practicable, of the illegal drug recovered from the accused by the apprehending officer;
 * (2) the turnover of the illegal drug seized by the apprehending officer to the investigating officer;
 * (3) the turnover by the investigating officer of the illegal drug to the forensic chemist for laboratory examination; and,
 * (4) the turnover and submission of the marked illegal drug seized from the forensic chemist to the court.

Decision
WHEREFORE, the appeal is GRANTED. The March 4, 2016 Decision of the Court of Appeals in CA-G.R. CR-HC No. 07038 which affirmed the August 26, 2014 Decision of the Regional Trial Court of Lingayen, Pangasinan, Branch 69, in Criminal Case No. L-10004, is REVERSED and SET ASIDE.

Accused-appellant Eduardo Catinguel y Viray is  hereby ACQUITTED for failure of the prosecution to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt. He is ordered immediately RELEASED from detention, unless he is confined for any other lawful cause.

Let a copy of this Decision be furnished to the Director of the Bureau of Corrections, Muntinlupa City, for immediate implementation. The Director of the Bureau of Corrections is  directed to report to this Court within five (5) days from receipt of this Decision on the action he has taken. Copies shall also be furnished to the Director General of Philippine National Police and thel~ire& General of Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency for their information