What was he doing there?
Operatives from both the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the PNP were surprised to find former PDEA agent Lt. Col. Ferdinand Marcelino inside a house in Sta. Cruz, Manila that has been under surveillance for suspected drug activities. Not only did the raid yield more than three hundred twenty million pesos worth of shabu, it was discovered that a functioning drug lab was also set up. Marcelino was also caught with a Chinese national, Yan Yi Shou, who according to records, served as an interpreter for PDEA in 2005. This only adds to the puzzlement of the whole incident. What was Marcelino doing there? It's like finding a priest inside a strip-joint.
According to the raiding operatives, they had no knowledge that Marcelino was working undercover or on a mission concerning anti-illegal drug activities. He was "not in their radar." Nor is there anything to show that Marcelino was working with the PDEA, nor any other agency for the matter. Marcelino claims he was on a mission, but could not present any document to prove it. A mission order issued by the Philippine Army expired in 2014, plus the fact that Marcelino is no longer connected with the Army, but the Navy. He is currently an active officer with the Philippine Marines. What the raiding operatives want to see is a mission order explaining why Marcelino was there. With all the reasons being cited by Marcelino regarding his presence at the raided house, he just cannot seem to back it up with the necessary legal documents.
Marcelino gained recognition for arresting the so-called "Alabang Boys", and was lauded for rejecting a bribe offer to set them free. His former boss, Gen. Dionisio Santiago, is strongly vouching for his former agent, saying he has done a lot in the fight against illegal drugs, and is out of character to be seen as a drug lord or a protector of drug syndicates. A former PDEA agent turned anti illegal drugs crusader says otherwise, stating Marcelino has been suspected of being a protector of drug syndicates for some time. And to be caught inside a drug safehouse/laboratory, along with a Chinese national who once worked for PDEA does not help his cause, actually raising more questions.
He will of course undergo due process, but the burden of proof is all on him. A certificate issued by the Philippine Army Intelligence Security group states that he is indeed "providing intelligence information to the military". Still, there is nothing to show that he was on this particular mission. There should be a paper trail, for his protection most of all. Technically, the military does not involve themselves in anti-crime activities. That is the job of the PNP and line agencies such as the PDEA. So Marcelino's presence and alibis do not currently jibe with known protocols.
Many were disheartened to hear of Marcelino's arrest. It only strengthens the suspicion that law enforcement agents are the ones themselves involved in crime. Some have come out saying that most of the illegal drugs confiscated from criminals eventually return to the markets, but this time, the police are the ones peddling them. The people are left to ask, whom can they turn to now?
- Latest
