Cops stand by drug raps vs Marcelino

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police-Anti-Illegal Drugs Group (PNP-AIDG) yesterday stood by its drug charges against detained Marine Lt. Col. Ferdinand Marcelino.

In preliminary investigation hearing at the Department of Justice (DOJ), the PNP-AIDG sought the indictment of the former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) official for conspiracy in the manufacture and possession of illegal drugs under Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) in its reply submitted to investigating Senior Deputy Prosecutor Theodore Villanueva.

Marcelino denied the allegations last week and submitted his counter-affidavit. He insisted he was in the storage facility where P256 million worth of shabu was seized for a covert operation as a member of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP).

In an earlier hearing, Marcelino submitted a certification from Intelligence and Security Group of the Philippine Army showing Marcelino is sharing intelligence information on alleged involvement of Army personnel in illegal drug trade from September to December last year.

The PNP-AIDG, however, argued that Marcelino failed to prove his claim because he did not produce his mission order.

Marcelino was arrested on Jan. 21 with Chinese Yan Yi Shuo by joint operatives of PNP-AIDG and PDEA in the storage facility in Manila where they seized 64 kilos of shabu. He was sitting on a couch when the agents arrived.

The preliminary investigation has been concluded and the case submitted for resolution.