PSG man caught with cloned ATM cards in Makati

MANILA, Philippines - An alleged member of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) who is also a member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Baghawi” Class of 2008 was arrested by the Makati City police on Friday night for allegedly withdrawing cash from an automated teller machine using a cloned card.

Raphael Malacay Marcial of Barangay West Rembo, a member of the Philippine Army, was arrested by a police patrol team while withdrawing cash from an East West bank ATM along Pasong Tamo Extension at about 11:30 p.m., according to a police report.

Seized from Marcial were 11 cloned ATM cards issued by different banks.

According to a source from the Makati police, prior to Marcial’s arrest investigators were informed by retired colonel Butch Abalon, head of East West Bank’s security department, that several of the bank’s clients have been losing money from unauthorized withdrawals.

With the information, the Makati police then started a surveillance operation.

On Friday night, Marcial was caught by a closed-circuit television camera (CCTV) at the East West bank’s Pasong Tamo Extension branch as he alighted from his motorcycle and walked towards the ATM machine with his helmet still on. A few minutes later, a Makati police patrol team arrested him.

According to the source, when police officers inspected Marcial’s motorcycle, they found out that its license plates had been covered.

The source said it was while being questioned that Marcial revealed being a member of the PSG and being a member of PMA Class 2008.

According to the source, Marcial still refused to divulge if he is part of group involved in the cloning of ATM cards. He is detained at the Makati police headquarters as charges for violating Republic Act 8484 or the Access Devices Regulation Act of 1998 are being readied against him.