Give Marcelino his due under law—De Lima

Whether he was on a legitimate secret mission or had gone rogue, the former top antinarcotics operative arrested in a drug lab in Manila is entitled to due process under the law, former Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said yesterday.

De Lima said it was too early to conclude anything about the case of Lt. Col. Ferdinand Marcelino, the former chief operative of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), whose arrest in a drug raid before dawn on Thursday came as a shock.

Marcelino is detained while being investigated for manufacturing, conspiring to manufacture and possession of illegal drugs—all nonbailable offenses.

The decorated Marine insisted he was in the drug den as part of a legitimate intelligence operation.

“The incident regarding Marine Col. Ferdinand Marcelino and the different versions on what actually happened, as claimed by PDEA, on one side, and by Marcelino on the other, should give everyone involved reason to pause and allow the legal process to take its course,” De Lima said in a statement.

She recalled witnessing the officer’s dedication to the job in antidrug operations of the National Bureau of Investigation.

“It is still too early to tell which version is the truth, although presumptively the fact of Marcelino’s presence at the location is a ground for his warrantless arrest and immediate inquest. However, at the same time, the story of how a well-known antidrug crusader responsible for some of the biggest drug busts and anti-drug intelligence operations in law enforcement history suddenly turns rogue leaves much to be explained,” De Lima said.

 Gone to dark side

“Given Marcelino’s impressive track record, this turn of events is not easily comprehended by those who have closely worked with him and who have seen his dedication to law enforcement, including myself, when he was instrumental in the success of past NBI operations,” she said.

If Marcelino had indeed gone to the other side, “then we have a lot to worry about,” said De Lima.

“If, on the other hand, the situation is as Marcelino claims, that he was on site by virtue of an AFP mission order, then we should give him the benefit of the doubt as he clarifies his version of events during his preliminary investigation.”

Turning agents like Marcelino to the dark side may not be that easy, De Lima added.

“Much to this story is yet to unfold and it will serve all parties concerned and the public to first let the legal process take its course in uncovering the truth,” she said.