PMA-Cebu Squad throws support to PDEA officials

CEBU - A Cebu based organization of graduates and former cadets of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) issued a statement of support yesterday to two officials of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

In a statement, the PMA-Cebu Squad Inc. headed by Retired Army Colonel Clarence C. Martinez, expressed the support to PDEA Director Dionisio Santiago and to Major Ferdinand Marcelino.

“The Philippine Military Academy – Cebu Squad, Inc., expresses its full support behind former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Cavalier Dionisio Santiago (PMA Class ‘70) and Cavalier Ferdinand Marcelino (PMA Class ‘94) in the present controversy involving the so-called ‘Alabang Boys’ buy-bust operations conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), headed by Director Dionisio Santiago.”

The statement continued, “Without necessarily prejudging or pre-empting the final resolution of the ongoing case before the Department of Justice, the impeccable service records and integrity of these Cavaliers speak for themselves. 

The conduct of Cavaliers Santiago and Marcelino during the ongoing investigation proceedings embodies the highest ideals of courage, integrity and loyalty of the Philippine Military Academy.

“The PMA - Cebu Squad, Inc., congratulates Cavaliers Santiago and Marcelino and other cavaliers of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for making a strong stand against corruption within the framework of the law-enforcement and prosecution systems. It is the pride of PMA that its graduates conduct themselves with honor and dedication even in the face of extreme adversity to ensure that justice and truth will prevail. 

“We salute these fine gentlemen. Our thoughts and prayers, are the hopes of the entire country, go with these brave cavaliers as they battle the sinister hydra that is the drug menace to ensure a better future for our country. 

“In these dark hours, the shining example of these brave cavaliers provides an inspiration to our soldiers in the field that this country is still worth fighting for.”

The organization also expressed its full support to the move of Senator Rodolfo Biazon, also a Peemayer, to honor Marcelino, who is from the Philippine Marines, with an award.

“We are throwing our full support behind Cavaliers Santiago and Marcelino, along with the rest of the fine gentlemen Cavaliers who are quietly and efficiently fulfilling their missions.

The PMA-Cebu Squad Inc. counts among its members retired military and police officers, soldiers in the active service, and civilians from various sectors of society, who share a common bond – cadetship in the PMA.

Col. Martinez said that if the bad deeds of the Peemayers get highlighted, why not also the good deeds that these gentlemen from the PDEA have done.

Marcelino’s team was responsible for the arrest of the so-called Alabang Boys during a buy bust operation. Since the three have been ordered released due to a technicality, the House of Representatives have conducted a probe on the matter. —/NLQ   (THE FREEMAN)