Marines caught pushing drugs in Pagadian to be dishonorably discharged

COTABATO CITY - The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) will dishonorably discharge two members caught pushing illegal drugs in Pagadian City on Wednesday.

Marine Brig. Gen. Alex Balutan, deputy commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command in Davao City, said Thursday that the two Marines, Cpl. Ryan Monterel Depuno and Private First Class Silvano Caindoy Jenisan will be terminated from the PMC based on the organization’s “non-negotiable stand” against drugs.

The two Marines have long been charged with Absence Without Leave (AWOL) by their commanding officers for failing to return after availing of allowable days of rest and recreation break.

“Madi-discharge na 'yan sila totally from the service. No one is above the law. That is an offense the PMC leadership will never tolerate. In fact, with their AWOL status eh matagal nang wala na sila sa service,” Balutan said.

Depuno and Jenisan, formerly under Marine units in nearby Sultan Kudarat province, were caught by plainclothes policemen in the act of selling shabu in San Jose district in Pagadian City.

“They will have their day in a civil court, as civilians, not as Marines,” Balutan said.

Chief Superintendent Edgar Basbas, Police Regional 9 director, said 14 sachets of shabu, P500 cash and a .45 caliber pistol with ammunition were recovered from the duo during the buy-bust operation.

Basbas said the suspects are now detained at a police camp in Pagadian City.