Marines warned vs abuses

Marine commandant, Maj. Gen. Librado Ladia, in a strongly worded memorandum, ordered his men to observe proper decorum at all times.

Ladia issued the memorandum, in the wake of a recent incident involving Marines detailed as security escorts of newspaper columnist and television host Ramon Tulfo, which tend to put the entire Corps in bad light.

Last Friday, Tulfo with his four Marine escorts identified as Sgt. Regino Mendoza, Sgt. Reynor Lima, Sgt. Diokno Toquero and Cpl. Patricio Nagamo, figured in a traffic altercation with traffic personnel of the Metro Manila Development Authority and Parañaque policemen for violation of the vehicular traffic reduction scheme at Sucat Interchange.

The incident almost triggered a shootout between the accosting policemen and Tulfo’s Marine escorts. Four Parañaque policemen were disarmed by the Marines.

"A recent incident involving Marines has placed the Corps’ reputation questionably in the limelight of public opinion. Being detached for security duties of this nature is very demanding. Marines are exposed to public scrutiny and have plenty of room for independent action while away from their mother units," Ladia explained.

Ladia proceeded to chastise the Marines involved in the incident, saying that the Marine Corps has no place for arrogance and abuse of authority.

"Action speaks louder than words. I urge all Marines to behave with utmost discipline and respect in their working relationship with the citizenry. Let our actuations reflect what is good and right as quality citizens," the Marine commandant stressed, as he pointed that those who cannot live up to this have no place in the Corps.

Referring to last Friday’s incident, Ladia said the case is still under investigation and the Corps would not condone any wrongdoings by any of its members. — Jaime Laude