Intel agency vouches for arrested narc: He’s working with Army
Col. Ferdinand Marcelino (center), former director of the special enforcement services of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, was arrested by operatives of PDEA and the Philippine National Police in Sta. Cruz, Manila, on Jan. 21 in a drug bust operation which yielded P3o0-million worth of “shabu.” NIÑO JESUS ORBETA/INQUIRER
The Intelligence and Security Group (ISG) has issued a certification that former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) official Col. Ferdinand Marcelino is sharing intelligence information with the Philippine Army.
In the certification dated Jan. 22, Army’s ISG said Marcelino was working to provide the military information on drugs and other illegal activities “in consonance to the GHQ (General Head Quarters) Directive on AFP Task Force Moses and PA Task Group Midas.”
The same certification stated that he shared information to the Army from November to December 2015.
However, Anti-Illegal Drugs Group legal and investigation division chief Roque Merdeguia said the certification was inconclusive.
Senior deputy prosecutor Theodore Villanueva this morning said if Marcelino could produce the mission order, “he is free to go.”
Aside from the ISG, certifications from the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (Isafp) and the National Bureau of Investigation are also expected.
Marcelino agreed to a preliminary investigation after signing a waiver of detention.
Merdeguia said the other certifications could be attached to Marcelino’s counter-affidavit, which he is required to submit on Wednesday, Jan. 27, the first scheduled preliminary investigation.
Marcelino and Chinese national Yan Yi Shuo were arrested in a drug bust early morning Thursday.
READ: Former PDEA official, Chinese national nabbed for P320-M ‘shabu’
The two, with Lo Chi, Atong Lee and an alias Chu, are facing a case for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, particularly for possession and conspiracy to manufacture illegal drugs.
Authorities seized during the operation 76,697.7 grams or over P300-million worth of “shabu.”
Marcelino said his presence was part of his intelligence and surveillance operation against drug syndicates. During his arrest, he said he had a mission order to support his claims. He also requested that his face not be shown to the media so as not to compromise his cover and identity.
“I was just there kasi we are verifying an information that we got,” Marcelino told reporters. “We still do not know ano meron sa bahay na yon. We were there to check on the information.”
READ: Former PDEA official nabbed says he’s doing ‘intelligence work’
He said he was accompanied by an informant, referring to Yan. “Siya kasi dati documented informant.”
The Chinese national, he said, had helped authorities in previous operations.
“So when he related to me the information, actually, he suggested na we should apply for a search warrant. Tinanong ko kung narating na nya [yung bahay] sabi hindi pa. So, sabi ko, pwede siguro natin tingnan,” Marcelino said, adding Yan had the key.
He said he told Yan to verify if similar operations were being conducted by the PDEA.
“Sabi nya, wala naman, kaya ayun dinaanan namin on my way home. Pagdating dun, I even asked him to call the security guard kasi walang ilaw. Tapos bigla pumasok na mga tropa (PDEA and AIDG troops),” Marcelino said.
“Nagkasalubong ang operation. We are on a case buildup of intel operation, verifying information. Ang PDEA naman may search warrant na dun na hindi namin alam,” he added. IDL/RC
