Still no proof Marcelino was on anti-drug mission

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police Anti-Illegal Drugs Group (AIDG) disclosed yesterday that arrested Marine Lt. Col. Ferdinand Marcelino has yet to show proof of authority to conduct anti-illegal drug operations to justify his presence in the condominium unit in Manila last week that turned out to be a shabu laboratory.

Marcelino was given 48 hours to produce his mission order or any document that would prove his being part of an anti-illegal drug operation.

Chief Insp. Roque Merdegia Jr., spokesman of the AIDG, said, “If he only showed the documents this would be finished.”

Merdegia said after Marcelino was arrested the marine officer told AIDG operatives that he was on a mission. Marcelino was given consideration to present a written authority, about five hours during the raid, then 36 hours before the filing of charges then another five hours by the prosecutors.

Marcelino and his Chinese companion Yan Yi Shou were arrested Thursday during a raid on a suspected shabu laboratory in Sta. Cruz, Manila where lawmen seized 76 kilos of shabu worth P383 million.

Merdegia also clarified that the initial estimate of 60 kilos of shabu actually weighed 76 kilos when the AIDG agents conducted verification on the weight, thus the seized shabu actually cost about P383 million.

Marcelino and Yan are now detained in the AIDG detention cell inside Camp Crame, Quezon City.

All the items seized from the suspects were subjected to proper inventory.

Marcelino had P60,000 cash in his possession during his arrest.

Merdegia said AIDG officials are working for the transfer of Marcelino and Yan to the Custodial Center also in Camp Crame since their detention cell could no longer accommodate them.

He also denied reports that Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) director general Arturo Cacdac was the one who decided to place Marcelino under arrest.

“In fairness to Gen. Cacdac, he gave him (Marcelino) more than five hours to produce proof of his mission but he failed to present any proof.”

Merdegia clarified that not all policemen can conduct anti-illegal drug operations.

“Even if he (Marcelino) insists that he is on a mission, we cannot just take it. Hindi basta-basta ma-authorize (you can’t just be authorized) to go on anti-illegal drug operations, malinaw sa batas na PDEA ang lead agency ang pulis ay (the law is clear that PDEA is the lead agency and the police has) support character. But not all police officers are allowed to conduct anti-drug, only the AIDG,” said Merdegia. – With Robertzon Ramirez, Jaime Laude