The ultimate responsibility for the errant dismissal of the criminal complaints against suspected drug lord Peter Lim and self-confessed drug kingpin Kerwin Espinosa, among others, is lodged with President Rodrigo Duterte and his alter ego, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre.

The panel of prosecutors of the Department of Justice only recommends the dismissal for the approval of Aguirre on behalf of his principal, the President.

No less than the President previously accused Lim of drug offenses while Espinosa has confessed his culpability and involvement in the drug trade.

Under the foregoing circumstances, “lack of evidence” merely deodorizes the wayward dismissal.

The paucity of evidence is farfetched because the President and the police authorities must not withhold their arsenal of evidence for the formal indictment of Lim, Espinosa and their co-respondents.

Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs loses seriousness and credibility as drug lords are liberated and only marginalized suspects are liquidated.

EDCEL C. LAGMAN