Thursday, January 8, 2009

A Crisp Salute to a Maverick Marine

One can never get enough of the many principled men in this world. Lately, we just have been introduced to one of them. We have been introduced to one honest man and dedicated officer who courageously busted high society drug dealers infamously known as Alabang Boys.

Major Ferdinand Marcelino is a young marine from a modest family in Hagonoy, Bulacan. His humble beginnings included toiling as a construction worker, striving as a working student, and knuckling down as a police beat reporter. Eventually, his destiny brought him to the doors of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and became part of PMA Bantay-Laya Class of 1994.

He was commissioned as a Marine officer in the war-torn Mindanao during the early years of his military career. He waged war against the hostile group Abu Sayyaf. He was cited for his intelligence undertakings in capturing Abu Sayyaf Commander Abu Sabaya who staged the unforgettable Dos Palmas kidnapping in 2001. He also met head-on death threats from refusing bribes to rig the elections in Basilan.

In 2003, he turned down the recruitment from the core group of Magdalo officers who launched a mutiny against the Arroyo Administration. He said and I quote, “people did not send us to the PMA so that we would have nice combats or clothes or a nice life. We are trained to endure all kinds of hardships.”

At present, Marine Major Ferdinand Marcelino is the special unit head of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). Few days ago, he and his team conducted the buy-bust operation in Ayala Alabang which led to the arrest of young elite scions, namely: Richard Brodett, Joseph Ramirez Tecson, and Jorge Jordana.

The PDEA conducted a pre-arrest investigation. They cased the suspects. In the end, they were able to entrap them thru a tactical operation in which they seized ecstacy tablets and considerable grams of cocaine. They followed procedures.

And so they thought.

Surprisingly (and irritatingly) though, the prosecutors trashed the legitimate arrest and even made an order (with the approval of no less Secretary Raul Gonzales of DOJ) to release the drug pushers on the ground of technicalities.

As of this moment, this case is still undergoing probe at House Committee on Drugs and pending on review by Department of Justice. If you happen to watch its live coverage on ANC, you will surely admire the courage Maj. Marcelino has mustered. He made Sec. Gonzalez turned red as tomato!

I am so disgusted to these scoundrels – families of the peddlers as well as some persons holding high government positions – who tried to bribe the agents to kill this case. Shame on you bad people!

On the other hand, I highly commend Major Macelino for living up to the maxim of his Alma Mater - Courage, Integrity, and Loyalty. It is nice to know that there are still people in the ranks that can keep their honor to serve God, Country and People. I am indeed proud of you, Sir. Please continue to do the good work for and on behalf of the Filipino People. Let the revolution continue and fight these evil menaces that inflict our nation.

Kudos and carry on!

(Reference & Reference)

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