PSG man axed over cloned ATM cards

MANILA, Philippines - A Presidential Security Group (PSG) member has been relieved from his post after being arrested for withdrawing money using a cloned automated teller machine card and having 11 more cloned ATM cards in his possession, a Malacañang official said yesterday.

Quoting PSG commander Commodore Raul Ubando, Press Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Raphael Malacay Marcial – a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Baghawi Class of 2008 – was sanctioned administratively.

“All PSG members and government employees are expected to be law-abiding citizens at all times. They must face the consequences of their actions in accordance with the law,” the head of the Presidential Communications Operations Office said.

All the PSG leadership seeks is for Marcial to be accorded his rights. 

“The PSG wants that his legal rights are respected, then it would all depend on the findings of the inquest fiscal. We also have our rules with regard to the (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and PSG on the appropriate disciplinary actions that will be carried out,” Coloma said.

Marcial was arrested by a police patrol team Friday night while withdrawing money from an EastWest Bank ATM along Pasong Tamo Extension.

According to a source, prior to Marcial’s arrest, the Makati police was informed by retired colonel Butch Abalon, head of EastWest Bank’s security department, that several of the bank’s clients have been losing money from unauthorized withdrawals.

With the information, the Makati police then started a surveillance operation.

On Friday, Marcial was caught by a closed-circuit television camera at the bank’s Pasong Tamo Extension branch as he alighted from his motorcycle and walked toward the ATM with his helmet still on. He was arrested a few minutes later.

 According to the source, when police officers inspected Marcial’s motorcycle, they found that its license plates had been covered. They also seized from Marcial 11 cloned ATM cards issued by different banks.

The source said it was while being questioned that Marcial revealed being a member of the PSG and of PMA Class 2008.

According to the source, Marcial still refused to divulge if he is part of a group involved in the cloning of ATM cards. He is detained at the Makati police headquarters as charges for violating Republic Act 8484 or the Access Devices Regulation Act of 1998 are being readied against him. â€“ With Perseus Echeminada