PSG men ‘bemedaled’ prior to QC rob raps

‘FALLEN’ SOLDIERS Their heads covered, Presidential Security Group members Sgt. Marvin Gaton (left) and Cpl. Bobby Ates are brought to Camp Karingal for questioning on Friday following their arrest in connection with a Quezon City car shop robbery. MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

Corporal Bobby Ates and Sgt. Marvin Gaton had “clean records” and even earned combat medals through the years in the Army, on top of being members of the elite Presidential Security Group (PSG).

But all that could go to waste with one ugly smear after the two PSG men were arrested in connection with a P100,000 car shop robbery in Quezon City earlier this week.

Philippine Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Randolph Cabangbang said the accusations leveled against Ates, 25, and Gaton, 31, were “very serious” and that the Army would support the police investigation.

Based on their military records, the two men were formerly assigned to the 2nd Infantry Battalion based in Tanay, Rizal province, and had never been involved in any misconduct. “They have clean records. They have combat medals,” Cabangbang told reporters on Friday.

For taking part in successful combat operations against communist rebels, Gaton earned four Military Merit Medals while Ates received two, Cabangbang said.

“If they committed any misdeed, we do not support those kinds of activities,” he added.

Along with three other men, Ates and Gaton allegedly broke into Streamline Auto Salon and Detailing Shop in Lagro, Novaliches, around midnight Thursday, handcuffed its owner and hogtied its security guard. The victims reported the loss of a laptop computer, an iPhone, an iPad and a ring.

The group then went to a videoke bar in the same village and were arrested after the police received a complaint about the presence of armed men in the establishment.

The shop owner, Richard Tubig, later positively identified Ates and Gaton as part of the robbery group.

On Thursday, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte clarified that while Ates and Gaton were currently serving under the PSG, they were not part of the close-in security detail of President Aquino.