Marcelino calls on Gonzalez to release decision on 'Alabang Boys'

HAGONOY, Bulacan – Maj. Ferdinand Marcelino yesterday called on Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez to release the results of his automatic review of the resolution dismissing the “Alabang Boys” drug case.

“In fairness to all of us including the respondents, Secretary Gonzalez should release his decision,” Marcelino, an active duty Marine officer detailed with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), told The STAR in a telephone interview.

Marcelino had stood his ground against a P20-million bribe in connection with the case of suspected drug pushers Richard Brodett, Jorge Joseph and Joseph Tecson, known as the “Alabang Boys.”

The three were arrested on Sept. 20 last year by members of the PDEA.

Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor and state prosecutor John Resado have been accused by Marcelino of allegedly receiving bribes from the parents of the Alabang Boys.

Marcelino said the decision of Gonzalez is long overdue and should have been released 30 days after the resolution was submitted to his office in early December 2008.

He said the justice secretary’s decision would benefit the PDEA, the respondents, as well as the prosecutors because this will help resolve the case.

“So we can all move on,” Marcelino said, adding that the congressional and independent panel hearings conducted into the issue do not have any bearing on the case.

Their proof that bribery indeed took place would be through the opening of the bank accounts of state prosecutors who have been offered and accepted money, reiterated Marcelino, who is a resident of this coastal town. – Dino Balabo