PNP files more raps vs Marcelino

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police Anti-Illegal Drugs Group (PNP-AIDG) has filed another criminal complaint against Marine Lt. Colonel Ferdinand Marcelino with the Department of Justice (DOJ).

After filing charges of conspiracy in manufacture and possession of illegal drugs under Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) against the former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) official, the PNP-AIDG filed earlier this week charges of illegal possession of firearm and violation of the election gun ban.

Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Anthony Fadullon confirmed the DOJ will conduct a preliminary investigation on the new charges against Marcelino. The case was assigned to Assistant State Prosecutor Mike Humarang.

The charges were filed after PNP-AIDG verified that the license of Marcelino’s gun, confiscated during his arrest in a drug raid in Sta. Cruz, Manila on Jan. 21, had expired. The anti-narcotics group also found out that Marcelino does not have a certificate of exemption from gun ban.

The preliminary investigation on the drug charges against Marcelino is being separately heard by Senior Deputy Prosecutor Theodore Villanueva, who is set to hold a last hearing on Monday before submitting the case for resolution.

Marcelino was arrested with Chinese Yan Yi Shuo by operatives of the PNP-AIDG and PDEA at an apartment in Manila where they seized 64 kilos of suspected shabu.