Former PDEA intel agent guilty of perjury — Pampanga court

FORMER PDEA intelligence agent  Jonathan Morales has been found guilty of perjury by a Pampanga court for giving false testimony in a drug case in 2011.

In an 11-page decision promulgated on Wednesday, the San Fernando Municipal Trial Court Branch IV found Morales guilty beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced him to four months of imprisonment.

He was also given a fine of P1,000 with subsidiary imprisonment in case of insolvency.

Morales was accused of giving false testimony in June 2011 and September 2011 before the San Fernando City Regional Trial Court Branch 43 against two Chinese who were suspected of drug trafficking.

He stated under oath that the said persons were liable for selling, delivering, transporting or distributing drugs.

The former PDEA agent later recanted his testimonies during his cross-examination, saying that he was forced to testify against the two by his superior Director Lyndon Aspacio.

According to Morales, he executed his testimony for fear that he would be fired or prosecuted if he did not follow the alleged orders.

In ruling against him, however, the court said it found no evidence to support Morales’ claim that he was forced or intimidated.