AFP to probe PSG member with cloned ATM card

MANILA, Philippines - The military will conduct its own probe on the member of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) who was arrested last week for withdrawing money using a cloned automated teller machine (ATM) card.

Armed Forces public affairs chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said the investigation would determine whether the suspect, Ltjg. Raphael Marcial, should face the court martial.

“We will conduct our own investigation to determine if his (Marcial) act merits court martial or outright dismissal. He has right to defend himself and he is innocent until proven guilty,” Zagala said.

He noted that the court martial is leveled against a soldier for charges that are not found in the Revised Penal Code. These charges include conduct prejudicial to good order and conduct unbecoming of an officer and gentleman.

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

Authorities also seized from Marcial's possession  11 other  cloned ATM cards. Marcial graduated the Philippine Military Academy in 2008.

Before the arrest, the Makati police were informed that several clients of the bank had complained of losing money because of unauthorized withdrawals. The report prodded authorities to conduct a surveillance operation.

He is now facing charges for violating Republic Act 8484 or the Access Devices Regulation Act of 1998.

Zagala said Marcial’s action does not represent the policies of the military.

“The acts of Ltjg. Raphael Marcial do not reflect the Presidential Security Group nor the Armed Forces of the Philippines. We will not condone it. We will make him available to face the charges leveled against him,” he said.

The incident, Zagala said, highlights the need to strictly implement the honor code among aspiring officers.