DOJ starts preliminary probe on another criminal rap vs Marcelino

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 File Photo

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has already started its preliminary investigation on another criminal case filed against Marine Lieutenant Colonel Ferdinand Marcelino.

Marcelino and a Chinese companion were earlier slapped with a complaint for violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act after they were both arrested in a drug bust last Jan. 21.

READ: Former PDEA official, Chinese national nabbed for P320-M ‘shabu’

The second case, filed by the Philippine National Police Anti-Illegal Drugs Group (PNP-AIDG) was for illegal
possession of firearm and violation of election gun ban.

During the preliminary investigation on Thursday, officers of the PNP-AIDG affirmed their complaint affidavit for
violations of the Omnibus Election Code and the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act against Marcelino before investigating Assistant State Prosecutor Michael John Humarang.

READ: Marine Lt Col Ferdinand Marcelino, sinampahan ng panibagong kaso ng PNP

The case has been set for another preliminary investigation on March 10 where Marcelino is required to submit his counter-affidavit.

The said complaint was filed after the PNP-AIDG verified that the license of Marcelino’s gun found when he was arrested in a drug raid in Sta. Cruz, Manila last January 21 has expired. The anti-narcotics group also found out that Marcelino does not have a certificate of exemption from gun ban.

As defined under Rule I, Section I of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution 10015, from January 10 to June 8, 2016, it is prohibited to bear, carry or transport firearms and other deadly weapons during the election period, unless authorized by the poll body. RAM