AFP to probe PSG man for cloned ATM cards

MANILA, Philippines - The military will conduct its own investigation of a 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 of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said the investigation will determine whether Navy Ltjg. Raphael Marcial should face court martial.

“We will conduct our own investigation to determine if his 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 last Friday while withdrawing money from an ATM along Pasong Tamo Extension in Makati.

Police officers also seized 11 cloned ATM cards from the military officer, who graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in 2008.

He is facing charges for violating Republic Act 8484, the access devices regulation law.

Zagala said Marcial’s actions “do not reflect the PSG nor the AFP. We will not condone it. We will make him available to face the charges leveled against him.”

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