Marcelino surrenders to AFP

MANILA, Philippines — Marine Lt. Col. Ferdinand Marcelino, who is facing a drug case, voluntarily surrendered on Tuesday afternoon before the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

AFP public affairs chief Colonel Edgar Arevalo confirmed the news saying Marcelino surrendered at noon accompanied by his counsel and sister.

Marcelino’s counsel Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Rueda-Acosta said Marcelino informed him that he will surrender as he feels safer with the AFP. She cited that Marcelino has many enemies and that he was just being framed.

“He's (Marcelino) been saying that he was set up by some officers in AIDG (Anti-Illegal Drugs Group) and PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency),” Acosta said adding that evidence against her client is so weak.

Arevalo, on the other hand, assured that Marcelino will be provided with legal assistance. He added that he will be granted custody once his request is furnished.

Marcelino surrendered after Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors asked the Manila Regional Trial Court to issue a hold departure order against him and his Chinese interpreter and co-accused Yan Yi Sho.

DOJ prosecutors ask Manila RTC to issue hold departure order vs Lt. Col. Marcelino, who is facing drug case @PhilippineStar

— Edu Punay (@edupunay) January 3, 2017

Arevalo, however, said they have no information regarding the current whereabouts of Yan.

In January 2016, Marcelino and Yan were charged with violating Sections 11 and 26 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. He and Yan were nabbed in a suspected drug laboratory in Manila where 64 kilos of suspected shabu with a street value of P256 million were confiscated by the authorities.

The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act pertains to the manufacturing and possession, and conspiracy in the manufacturing of illegal drugs.

The DOJ cleared Marcelino and Yan for lack of evidence last June since they said they were only working undercover for the PDEA. The ruling, however, was later reversed.

RELATED: DOJ scraps illegal drug raps vs Marcelino | DOJ reverses ruling on Marcelino drug case