Lt. Col. Ferdinand Marcelino raises his hands as he lleaves DOJ building after attending the preliminary hearing at the office of Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Theodore Villanueva at the Department of Justice in Manila.
EDWIN BACASMAS/Philippine Daily Inquirer
Lieutenant Colonel Ferdinand Marcelino will reveal “sensitive” information regarding his presence at a house in Manila where over P380-million worth of illegal drugs were seized last January in the next preliminary investigation at the Department of Justice (DOJ).
During Friday’s preliminary investigation, Senior Deputy Prosecutor Theodore Villanueva granted the request of Marcelino for a clarificatory hearing where Justice Secretary Emmanuel Caparas, Prosecutor General Claro Arellano, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Virgilio Mendez, and Intelligence Service Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) chief Arnold Quiapo are invited to attend.
The clarificatory hearing will be in executive session scheduled on March 7. It is also the date when Marcelino was directed to submit his rejoinder.
Marcelino also submitted an official letter sent by Mendez to Arellano with copy furnished to PDEA Director General Arturo Cacdac confirming his contribution to the NBI’s anti-drug operations via his intelligence work.
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Marcelino, together with his Chinese companion Yan Yi Shou are facing a complaint for violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act after they were arrested at a clandestine shabu (methamphetamine) laboratory in Manila.
In asking Villanueva for a clarificatory hearing, Marcelino, through his lawyer Dennis Manalo said sensitive information involving matters of national security will be disclosed to fully explain their presence in the shabu laboratory at No. 15, Block 17, Lot 6, Mahogany Street, Celadon Residences, Felix Huertas Road, Sta. Cruz, Manila.
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“To be able to fully explain their presence in the said location, respondents will have to disclose information that are sensitive and highly confidential in nature for it involves matters of national security. So as not to compromise and prejudice the confidentiality of the information, respondents request for a clarificatory hearing in-camera (meaning, in private session in Latin), without public disclosure and only in the presence of, as much as possible, and with their prior consent,” Marcelino’s motion read.
Marcelino stressed that the under the Articles of War, he may be charged for divulging confidential information.
Villanueva asked a Philippine Navy representative if this is true, and obtained an affirmative response. IDL