PSG man in ATM caper relieved

MANILA, Philippines—A member of President Aquino’s elite security unit has been sacked after he was caught with several ATM (automated teller machine) cards belonging to different people and a scanning device allegedly used to duplicate data.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma on Sunday said Presidential Security Group (PSG) chief Raul Ubando had issued a “relief order” for Navy Lt. (SG) Raphael Marcial.

“I was speaking with the group commander of the PSG, Commodore Raul Ubando, earlier, and he said he had issued a relief order [for] Mr. Raphael Marcial and as far as he knew, [the suspect] would undergo inquest proceedings at the fiscal’s office in [Makati],” Coloma said over Radyo ng Bayan.

Marcial, a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 2008, was arrested at the ATM booth of EastWest Bank on Chino Roces Avenue Extension in Barangay (village) Magallanes around 11:30 p.m. on Friday after policemen in a patrol car noticed his parked motorcycle had no license plates.

Seized from him were nine ATM cards bearing different names and a number of “blank” cards. He was also caught with a scanner, which was allegedly intended to copy data from ATM cards.

Coloma said Marcial’s fate would depend on the outcome of the inquest proceedings. He also cited the military rules covering “appropriate disciplinary actions” that could be imposed on the Navy officer.

“All PSG members and government employees are expected to be law-abiding citizens at all times,” Coloma said. “They must face the consequences of their actions in accordance with the law.”

But Coloma said the PSG would ensure that Marcial’s rights would also be respected.

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