Pinalaya na sina Jorge Joseph at Richard Brodett , kabilang sa mga mayayaman na pamilya,pagkatapos ma- absuwelto ng Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Judge Juanita Guerrero ng paglabag ng Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act ng 2002.
Maala-ala na nahuli sila sa isang buy-bust operation na nagbe-benta ng shabu sa ahente ng PDEA noong Septyembre 20, 2008 sa Ayala Alabang, tirahang eksklusibo para sa mga mayayaman. Ang isa pa nilang kasama na si Joseph Tecson ay nahuli sa magkaibang operasyun sa Quezon City. Naghihintay na rin ng desisyun ng korte si Tecson.
Sa desisyun ni Guerrero, sinabi niya na hindi napagdugtung ang paghawak ng nakumpiska na droga kina Brodett at Joseph. May nakita raw silang hindi magkatugma sa mga testimonya ng prosecution.
Sabi ni Santiago ginagalang niya ang desisyun ng korte ngunit malinis ang konsyensya niya na tama ang kanilang ginawa:” “My conscience is clear. I don’t know their conscience. Bahala sila, kanya-kanyang dalahan ‘yan dito, matatanda na kami e.”
Sabi ni Major Marcelino na ngayon ay bumalik na sa Philippine Marines “Wala naman po kaming personal grudge or whatever animosity sa mga tao na ‘to. Ginawa lang po namin ang trabaho namin na naa-ayon sa batas to the best of our knowledge and ability.”
Dagdag pa niya,”Siguro binibigyan sila ng Panginoon ng pangalawang tsansa sa buhay at sana hindi po nila sayangin ang chance na yun.”
Ano pa nga ba ang masasabi ni Santiago at ni Marcelino. Pagkatapos nila nagawa ang kanilang trabaho na paghuli ng mga naglalako ng bawal na gamut, diskarte na yun ng prosecution.
Hindi itinawag ng prosecution sina Santiago at Marcelino para ipaliwanag ang paghawak ng nakumpiska na bawal na gamut kina Brodett at Joseph.
Sabi naman ni Prosecutor Agripino Baybay III, sinabi na raw kasi ng korte na malakas ang kanilang ebidensya. Ito raw ang sabi ng korte nang idinismis ang petisyun ng tatlo para sa piyansa. “The prosecution’s evidence is strong to warrant conviction sans evidence to the contrary.”
“Ang ibig sabihin niyan,” sabi ni Baybay ay “hindi naming kailangan magdagdag ng ebidensya at that time.”
Ay ewan.
Noong araw na kinausap nji dating Justice Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor si Marcelino tungkol sa kaso ng Alabang Boys na hawak ng kanyang ka-fraternity sa Ateneo na si Atty. Felisberto Verano, Jr., may pumasok na P2.6 milyon sa kanyang bank account.
Sa araw na inilabas ng DOJ ang pagbasura ng kaso ng mga Alabang Boys noong Disyembre 2008, may pumasok na P800,000 sa bank account ni Prosecutor John Resado.
Bago bumaba sa Malacanang si Gloria Arroyo, hinirang niya si Blancaflor na director general ng Intellectual Property Office. Hanggang ngayon nandun siya at hindi naman ginalaw ni Pangulong Aquino.
Si Resado ay nandun pa rin sa DOJ.
Sabi ni Marcelino, sana lang hindi kakalimutan ng mamayang Pilipino ang kakabit na isyu sa kaso ng Alabang Boys at huwag pumayag na insultuhin ng mga mayayaman at makapangyarihang mga tao ang ating hustisya katulad ng nangyari noong panahon ni Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales.
Related links:
1.Arroyo orders filing of bribery charge vs Resado but also wants Marcelino investigated
2. Blancaflor deposited P2.6 million on the day he talked with Marcelino re Alabang Boys
3. NBI clears prosecutors, sats Marcelino obstructed probe
4. Release order prepared by drug suspects’ lawyer
Ellen, they could have avoided man’s justice..but I’m sure they will pay for their crime in another way…If I am not mistaken,P800 thousand and not P800 ang pumasok sa account ni Resado..
It seems that the suspects’ lawyers passion for winning cases took advantage of the prosecutors’ low motivation(?)
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Dismissal order: prepared by suspects’ lawyer
The possible scale of such problems was recently laid bare when Felisberto Verano Jr,lawyer of the Alabang boys, made a shocking admission that he tried to get his clients released and their case dismissed by preparing such an order using the justice department’s official stationery and somehow getting this document placed on Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez’s desk two days before Christmas, awaiting his signature.
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Suspect’s lawyer: was law teacher of prosecutor who dismissed the case originally
Proscutor John Resado and Justice Undersecretary Ric Blancaflor testify before Congress
PDEA blamed State Prosecutor Resado for the mess. Resado’s controversial resolution dismissing the case was placed under intense scrutiny by the House of Representatives oversight committee on dangerous drugs. Several lawmakers remarked on how it overwhelmingly favoured the suspects instead of the arresting team.
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Feud: Prosecutors vs. undercover agents
The Alabang boys case unmasked the simmering feud between prosecutors and undercover agents. The prosecutors claimed the latter undermined many cases by committing serious procedural lapses during operations; while the agents in turn accused state prosecutors of colluding with drug traffickers.
In the Alabang Boys case, it’s interesting to note that neither Major Marcelino – the team leader of the undercover agents – nor his superior, PDEA chief Santiago, was called to testify during the trial.
In the case of the Alabang boys, it is basically Prosecutor Resado’s word against that of Major Marcelino. If Beijing anti-drug authorities were asked their opinion, they would probably take the major’s word.
In 2006, Beijing had tipped off Manila that Southeast Asia’s biggest transnational drug network then was setting up shop in the Philippine capital. The 29-year-old Mr Marcelino followed up the lead, which resulted in the arrest of 16 people including three from the mainland.
Among those arrested was the owner of the building where the shabu lab was located. The owner was a public prosecutor whom the justice department absolved. It said although he owned the building he had leased it out and had no control what it was used for.
“Beijing was aghast at that,” PDEA’s Santiago said.
http://raissarobles.com/2011/08/26/alabang-boys-acquitted-are-you-surprised/
Are our lawmakers just going to take this lying down? Akala ko ba daang matuwid na tayo? This is a clear case of utak wangwang if there ever was one. This case reinforces the belief that local justice favors the rich and powerful, and they can wangwang all they want and we’re supposed to step aside.
Move it man before these jokers fly off to the US or Rio, to sip frozen margaritas while laughing at us! Get them back and this time around don’t put them in Muntinlupa, ship them to Davao, there they can have as many Davao Punches as they want.
http://davaodaily.com/try-davao%E2%80%99s-new-punch/
some sort of justice has been extracted against these acquitted alabang boys, the “enormous monetary expense” and the years spent in custody while on trial…may not deserving the offense as the law of the land prescribed, but they did not get away completely scot-free…and hope that will be enough lessons for them..
They were caught red handed selling drugs, to a law enforcement agent (undercover) at that. Mas mabuti pa siguro dinaan na lang sa “Wow Mali” reality tv, at least the whole world can see the video on Youtube and everybody could have a good laugh at it, wala pang taga gobyerno na “kumita” na pera.
That way they “Alabang Boys” will have looked stupid and not the other way around.
Rolnico, re#1. Thanks, I corrected it. P800,000 nga.
Vic, that’s a positive way of looking at the acquittal rather than be disillusioned.
I was communicating with Maj. Marcelino and that’s also the attitude that he is taking.
I don’t agree with Maj. Marcelino, Ellen. The correct attitude should have been to make this an impetus to improve, if they have to overhaul their organization and put in a genuine no nonsense drug czar, they ahve to do so. Just look at the conviction rate of PDEA, its even below lackluster, its sloppy, bottomline he cannot say “ginawa namin ang aming trabaho” nasaa? If their job is to be measured in conviction rate, where? The guys is a waste of government resources, if he were in the corporate he could have been thrown out on his ass.
If all law enforcers adapted the “my conscience is clear, bahala na ang diyos sa kanila” everytime crooks get away, we’d just be like the Philippines, oh, I forgot, this is the Philippines.
This issue is a very serious one, its not just about petty thievery like snatching, side mirrors stealing, or even akyat bahay. Illegal drugs is a social problem that threatens to explode given the powder keg of the increasing number of kids with means courtesy of absentee OFW parents and call center culture.
This is a nightmare for parents, especially for those with kids entering the age of barkadas, gimmicks, etc. Jokers like Marcelino took the job of keeping drugs off the streets, they can do more than just do their job “for compliance” they should treat it as a crusade.
Jug, Marcelino has been shoved out of PDEA by the new leadership there. He is back with the Marines.
Pnoy’s choice of PDEA head (family friendship again) is also becoming a disappointment.
Marcelino is dismayed by what is happening. He has made a lot of personal sacrifices in the campaign against drugs.
His heart is in it and he is willing to help. But it seems that the present leadership has other concerns.
Rather than be disillusioned, he tries to take the attitude that there must be reason for all these.
Marcelino’s text message re acquittal of Alabang Boys:
“Maybe it’s God’s way of giving them a second chance in life at sana hindi po nila sayangin ang chance na yun.
“We have nothing personal against them. We just did our job according to the law and to the best of our knowledge and abilities.
“After all the fight against drugs must be our collective concerns. May our people never forget and allow influential individuals to make a mockery out of our justice system just what they had tried to do during the term of DOJ Secretary Raul Gonzales.”
Already there are “conio” websites belittling the issue, they are saying kids having a good time and taking drugs is normal, its cool, and that we are just over reacting. I was told that they even have facebook accounts dedicated to the Alabang Boys. There are even some johnny midnights practically saying its okay for kids to take drugs occasionally and that we’re just to uptight and unwilling to face reality. Unfortunately, when it comes to drugs I can never be a “cool” parent, its a scary, nightmarish, heaven forbid, possibility that we must fight tooth and nail before our kids fall hard, too hard that they may not be able to get up.
We must protect our future generation of leaders, if we don’t we’ll have more congressmen sniffing cocaine.
Marcelino is a foregone conclusion then? I’m sorry about what happened to him considering his personal sacrifices, hopefully we learn from that experience. A more favorable response from him would be his willingness to share his experience so that the ones taking over will do better, build on his past, that way his sacrifices will be more meaningful. The authorities should debrief him properly, learn from his experience. If their arrest rate was high but conviction was low, why? How can they improve?
We shall have to see how the powers that be will face this problem. I don’t think small scale changes will do the trick this time, they have to make a strong statement against illegal drugs and I don’t mean just saying something.
The authorities should debrief him properly, learn from his experience.- Jug.
Are you kidding?
Bless your naive soul, Jug.
The present PDEA leadership has other ideas. They are threatened by the likes of Marcelino.
Re #14. Ay naku Jug, when I was covering the investigation of thse Alabang Boys, grabe ang yabang ng mga yan. Especially the father of that guy Joseph. They would jeer at the PDEA agents.
Makikita mo during the break, they would bring out nicely-packed food for merienda for the boys. Kasama yung mga alalay. Sina Marcelino and their agents, lumalabas yan para bumili ng merienda (the hearings were held at the DOJ.)
Kawawa nga sina Marcelino and the PDEA guys noon. But they were strengthened by the public support for them.
Thanks for sharing Marcelino’s message Ellen, it brings the issue to a better light. It prompted me to ask around.
Marcelino can even be a good resource person, his hands on experience on the matter, the day to day problems, disappointments, frustrations, leads, victories, etc., is a wealth of knowledge for anyone who is willing to learn. His approach to the job being devoid of political ambition is unique in itself. I hope his sacrifice will not go to waste and that whoever takes over will build on these rather than reinvent the wheel or worst, maintain status quo, and I pray that the powers that be will spare us from the words “presumption of regularity” please, we all know there is no such thing.
Bless your naive soul, Jug.
The present PDEA leadership has other ideas. They are threatened by the likes of Marcelino.
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Kasasabi mo lang there’s a better attitude rather than be disillusioned 🙂
Ayokong ma disillusioned. I’m still hoping and praying things will change for the better. You’re in the forefront of things, I’ll just follow your lead. 🙂
The problem between PDEA and DOJ prosecutors has, in many cases in the past, affected adversely the anti-drug campaign:
http://verafiles.org/2009/02/15/prosecution-flaws-bog-down-fight-vs-drugs/
http://verafiles.org/2009/01/19/interagency-feud-weakens-anti-drug-campaign/
Kasasabi mo lang there’s a better attitude rather than be disillusioned :)- Jug
Correct. Let’s try to find reason for what we see now as setbacks. There must be a reason for this in the bigger scheme of things.
Wow, this one is a gem. Why was Gonzales very powerful then? and why is De Lima powerless now? hmmmmmm, I hope its not a gender issue.
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Powerful DOJ secretary
The Cai case also shows how powerful the justice secretary is in deciding the fate of suspects in drug cases. When a drug case reaches the court, it is the DOJ secretary himself who would at times set aside a prosecutor’s resolution finding probable cause and order the prosecutor to withdraw the case or information. This usually puts the prosecutor in a bind: How vigorously should he still pursue the case, especially when the court refuses to junk the charges?
Like Judge Lagos, Quezon City Judge Fernando Sagun Jr. rejected last May a DOJ resolution dated June 20, 2007 in which Gonzalez directed the prosecutor to withdraw the information filed against suspected drug pusher Herberto Belino, calling it “too premature and definitely not proper at this stage.”
Gonzalez said he found it “very incredible” that Belino sold the drugs “in broad daylight, in a busy street and open to the public.” The DOJ secretary also noted that the money used in the buy-bust was not pre-marked, not pre-dusted by flourescent powder and not indicated in the pre-operation coordination sheet according to procedures.
In his ruling, however, Sagun said, “The elements necessary in every prosecution for the illegal sale of dangerous drugs are the identity of the buyer and seller, the object, and the consideration; and the delivery of the thing sold, and the payment therefor.”
He added, “Jurisprudential rule abounds that so long as the sale of the dangerous drugs is adequately proven and the drug itself was presented in evidence in court, the accused can be convicted on the basis thereof.”
Similarly, on Jan. 24, 2008, Sagun spurned the prosecutor’s motion to withdraw the case against Hung Ching Wei on yet another order from Gonzalez, who again cited “blunders” in the buy bust operation: The police purportedly failed to photocopy the marked money before the operation, failed to hand over the marked money to Hung, and interrogated him without a counsel.
But, invoking Supreme Court rulings, Sagun said, “There is no textbook method of conducting buy bust operations.”
He also cautioned that it would be unwise early on in the case for the DOJ to give more credit to Hung’s alibi, stressing that “rules and jurisprudence abound that the police have in their favor the presumption of regularity in the performance of official duties.”
Withdrawing the case, the judge also said, “would be doing great injustice unto the complaining witnesses, who like the respondents, are also entitled to prove the merits and demerits of their allegations before the courts of law.”
Drug cases pass through the justice secretary’s desk as part of “automatic review,” a process where the DOJ chief either upholds or reverses cases dismissed by Metro Manila city prosecutors, the chief state prosecutor or regional prosecutors.
http://verafiles.org/2009/02/15/prosecution-flaws-bog-down-fight-vs-drugs/
This is what I’ve been saying that de Lima might be well-meaning but the old network in DOJ is intact. And it seems that network is so powerful,if de Lima does not watch out, she would become their captive.
Inasmuch as Marcelino wanted to have conviction for the Alabang Boys, and others he had helped in busting a drug syndicate, he is no match to the “power plays” of those with vested interest.
Marcelino was eased out of PDEA with the new leadership, this tells us of some hidden agenda from the top brass of the agency. Marcelino has sacrificed a lot to lessen if not eliminate the drug syndicate. Unfortunately he can not do it alone.
I can only feel Marcelino’s frustration. He locked horns with Raul Gonzales during the senate inquiry. He came out on top, because the people and the issue was the “IN” thing at that time. Interest on the case subsided, and this was taken advantaged of by the “defense” lawyers and accused. Mind you, the presscon held by Santiago and Marcelino was cited as the loophole that the defense took advantage of.
I guess Dave Brodett is also feeling the sting of this verdict.
A bill is being introduced by Dato and Gloria Arroyo on proper handling of Evidence. That is BS! The people at PNP, PEDEA, DDB, DOJ and other relevant government agency should have known this. If they do not know how to secure the evidence, then we are all fucked up. Our justice system would then be a Kangaroo Justice System. Where influence, money, political debts would be favored. Dang!
Ellen,
granting that the Trial Judge was Right in her decision about the fatality of the chain in custody of evidence, that will be a very good reminder and lesson to all law enforcers and even the prosecutors that they take due deligence in handling evidence and follow the rules, so it will be hard for any Judge to find some loopholes just in case…and can be appealed for a very justified reason.
Just less than two weeks ago a presiding judge in some town in our province dismissed all provincial offense in his sala, some already done just waiting for sentencing, because The Crown Attorneys seems to ignore his call to be on Time for the resumption of court Session…now according to the one Daily Paper who follow up the particular court, eveyone on their toes and make sure they all in the court on Schedule.
One time the Judge was timed two minutes late and he had a hard time explaining, but he was able to and was accepted.
kabit kabit. kawing kawing. dugtong dugtong.
ganyan lumalabas ang kapalpakan ng ating just-tiis na lang system. legacy ng mga nakaraang administrasyong pinalala pa ng kalilipas na pamunuang ipinagpilitan lamang ang sarili upang manatili sa malakanyang at nang patapos na ang tetmino ay doon naman nagsumiksik sa bastusang pambansa.
ganu’n na nga ang mga nakaraan, sinasahod naman at tila ipinagpapatuloy ng kasalukuyang gobyerno sa kabila ng sigaw na samasama sa tuwid na daan. kumbaga’y nagpalit lamang ng panlabas na kasuotan subalit ‘yun pa rin ang nagtutubal na panloob ang pinatungan kaya hayan, hindi pa man nagtatagal ay umaalingasaw na kaagad ang baho ng katawan. walang pagbabagong sistema sapagkat ang pumapalit upang umugit ay hindi kayang pangatawanan ang pangakong hanggang bibig lamang.
tamang tama naman ang islogan ni PeNoy – tuwid na daan tungo sa naghihintay nating hukay!
tamang tama naman ang islogan ni PeNoy – tuwid na daan tungo sa naghihintay nating hukay!
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Yikes! Sinusunod mo nga yung matuwid na daan eh may ibang tao naman nagmaneobra kung saan andg dulo, kahit anong tuwid ang pagmamaneho mo disgrasya pa rin. Kailangan din pala klaruhin kung saan patungo? 🙂
MPR, this is not naman the handiwork of PNoy. It’s the people running the departments who it seems are beyond reform.
Now, it’s up for us the people to make our concerns be heard. We want reforms!
We should support those that are doing right and remove criminals from the government.
Kalampagin natin si PNoy.
he he heh!
elln, ‘yan na nga – we all want reforms.
kahit sino pa ang may kagagawan ng mga kapalpakan ay bahagi din at bagsakan ng lahat ng sisi si PeNoy sapagkat bilang pangulo ay bahagi ito ng kanyang acccountability sa taong bayan na kanyang sinasabing bossing niya.
jug, saan pa nga tutungo ang tuwid na daan ni PeNoy kundi sa hukay kung hindi niya marerendahan ang mga nakapaligid sa kanya? dapat bago niya ikonsiderang bigyan ng puwesto sa kanyang gabinete, konsultahin muna ang kanyang mga bossing.
pansinin ninyo ang asta ni rebosado sa kodak niya. ang yabang, ‘no? mukhang laging may kapatat na sobre ang hitsura, eh. pati na rin si blancafloor, parang nagbabasa ng serial number ng lilibuhing piso ang mata.
tsk. tsk. tsk.
Malaki ang tiwala ko kay Marcelino, ang laki ng hirap ng opisyal na ito sa campaign against drugs.
Hindi ako nasopresa sa hatol ng korte dahil day one pa lang ng kaso ng Alabang boys ay talo na ang PDEA dahil inorder ni Gloria Arroyo na pawalang ang mga akusado at all cost via GunggongG at mga korap na prosecutors/DOJ officials na namamayagpag pa ngayong panahon kuno ng ‘matuwid na daan’. Ewan!
pawalang sala…
Dapat ay pagtuunan ng pansin ni Pnoy ang mga hinayupaks sa DOJ. Kung hindi kumilos ng tama si Leila de Lima na sapakin ang mga ungas, pati sya dapat sipain kasi puro media ang inaatupag ng byuti nya!
#27. Kaya lang si Pnoy daw ay ‘matigas ang puso’ nabasa ko sabi ng kanyang kompidanteng opisyal. Kailangan natin ang tulong ng isang spring chicken para tumimo ang ating kalampag, hehehe!
ngayon ay naranasan din ni major marcelino ‘yung kagaguhan ng mga nakakataas kapag pinagsawaan na sa serbisyo at iniisip na hindi makakabuti para sa kanilang interest ang pananatili ng katulad niyang tapat sa tungkulin. simpleng banat lang naman ang gginamit sa kanya, eh – his services can be dispensed with kaya hayun balik siya sa kanyang mother unit habang naglulundagan sa tuwa ang mga dimonyong may pakana.
naniniwala akong matinong opisyal si major marcelino, walang duda.
a rare breed of a true soldier kabilang sa hanay ng ilang natitirang magigiting sa hukbong sandatahan.
tuwituwi na kahit noon pa ay ipinagsisigawan nating huwag ng ipuwesto ‘yang mga retiradong opisyal lalo na ‘yang mga heneral sa mga law enforcement agencies at hayaan na lang silang magpahinga sapagkat malaking kayamanan na ‘yung kanilang tinanggap na retirement pay, eh. pumili na lamang sa hanay ng mga career professionals.
‘andami riyang mga abogadong malinis dinn naman ang reputasyon, mamili sa kanila, ‘yung mga bihasa sa criminal law at hindi ‘yung mga dating tagapangalaga ng mga kriminal!
What kind of lawyers are the Jesuits producing?
Marcelino is a Marine! His temporary detail in PDEA is an abomination in itself! This doesn’t mean na mali yung ginawa nilang paghuli. Nasa mindset yan. Military men are trained for search and destroy operations in the field where the lines bordering in legal/illegal pursuits are often blurred. Police work is an entirely different animal. You have to follow protocols or otherwise, matatapon lang sa basura yung pinaghirapan nyo. Di puede yung short cuts. Kahit kumbinsdido pa ang korte na may kasalanan ang akusado, pag di mo sinunod ang protocols or violate their rights, ibabasura ang kaso mo. Iyong mga sinasabing ginapang ang judge sa kasong ito, subjective yan. Napakadaling mag insinuate. They must prove it first.Let’s face it. Most of our law enforcers dont even read the Miranda rights of the suspects. Crime scenes are not preserved. Yan lang ang aabangan ng mga abogado sa kabila. Tatahimik lang mga iyan samantalang dada ng dada sa media presentations ang mga pulis. Pag dating ng hearing, doon na ilalabas lahat ng palpak na ginawa nila. Ngayon nagtataka tayo kuing bakit ganun kababa ang conviction rate? Kung sa bisaya pa, babara-bara kasi bay. . .
Ellen,
The Alabang Boys were acquitted because the PDEA did not follow Sec. 21, RA [Republic Act] 9150, on the custody of evidence.
Nung pinaimbistigahan ni GMA yun gulo between DOJ and PDEA, Solicitor General Agnes Devanadera found na maraming kaso ng PDEA ay pumapalpak dahil na rin sa kakulangan ng mga law enforcement.
Eh papaano naman. Yun head ng PDEA ay dating chief of staff ng AFP. Anong naging training at experience niya sa law enforcement, sa proper procedures ng pagaresto at paghandle ng ebidensya?
Tapos nagpasok pa siya ng mga sundalo sa PDEA, mga hiniram niya sa Marines at pina-assign sa PDEA. (Kinwestyon nga ni Justice Sec Gonzalez yun pag-detail ng mga sundalo sa PDEA kasi ipinagbabawal ng batas yun.)
Ano rin naman ang training at experience nung mga sundalo ni Santiago sa law enforcement na trabaho ng pulis at NBI? Sabi nga ni Solicitor General Devanadera, “Do you know that agents aren’t even aware of the Miranda rule?” Rule #1 yan para sa law enforcers! Di nga ba nung inimbestigahan ng kongresso yan kasong yan ang lumabas ay ni walang operations manual na sinusunod yung mga agente? Sa madaling salita, parang nagjajammimg lang sila.
So hindi kagulatgulat na ang daming kaso na sumabit dahil sa legal technicalities.
Madaling sabihin na natechnical lang sila, pero ang rule of law ay nakatindig sa due process. Kung walang due process walang rule of law.
Hindi nating kinikwestyon ang sincerity o komitment nung mga sundalong ahente ng PDEA sa paglaban sa mga tulak ng droga pero tulad ng sinabi ni Devanadera pagkatapos niyang sinuri kung bakit ang daming naabswelto – “It’s all right that they be enthusiastic in pursuit of their quarry but they must still adhere by the rules.”
Sa komento ni Santiago at Marcelino, para silang walang natutuhan sa nangyari. Ayaw pa din nilang aminin na naabswelto ang Alabang Boys dahil sa pagkukulang nila. Napakapangit nga yun reaksyon ni Santiago na okay lang ang pagkaabswelto sa kanila kasi nakulong din naman ang mga bata ng tatlong taon. Ano yun? Kinulong sila ng wala palang matibay na ebidansya. Parang na Hubert Webb sila. Saan sila ngayon hahanap ng hustisya?
Ang mga Alabang Boys ay hindi na abswelto dahil anak mayaman sila. Naabswelto sila dahil pumalpak ang PDEA sa paghawak ng ebidensya. So ang isyu dito ay rule of law at wala ng iba pa.
Hindi ito tungkol sa rich getting away with it at ang mahirap kawawa. Nakulong yun mga Alabang Boys diba? Ang lamang lang ng mayaman ay meron silang kakayahan magbayad ng abogadong magaling. Pero hindi naman tamang sisihin sila dahil dun. Parehong kawawa ang mayaman at mahirap sa kamay ng mga alagad ng batas kung ang mga yan ay hindi alam ang ginagawa o gumagawa ng kabalbalan tulad ng hulidap.
Ang dapat tinututukan dito ay ang alagad ng batas at hindi yun mga nakasakdal dahil nasa interes ng lahat ng mamamayan, mga mahirap at mayaman, na yung binigyan natin ng kapangyarihan na ipatupad ang batas ay laging matuwid sa kanilang pangangasiwa sa kanilang trabaho at kapangyarihan.
Nakakalungkot na si Santiago at Marcelino ay walang natutuhan at pinaninindigan par rin nila yun kanilang pagkakamali.
What a waste. That is the effect of corruption on the bigger picture, the nurturing of our youth.
I think of people with means, who used the means to produce something of value – Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, the google founders, the Tokyo University graduates who went on to work in Sony and Honda. The means available to these boys could have enabled them to be achievers. But they are like pigs, who eat, drink, sleep and copulate. Puro pasarap. The pigs, at least, you get to fatten them and roast them. These guys, they will get fat, and be wards of some hospital in their 40s.
The talents of idealistic youth like Marcelino, also go to waste. The corrupt prosecutors, wasted as well. Instead of devoting their talents to become experts in the law, they become experts in palusot.
And the promise of Mr. Daang Matuwid, a waste as well. If compromise is made, to accommodate special interests, his political capital will dwindle. He had the moment, in the same way that his mother had the moment. His mother lost the momentum due to incompetence of people around her like that Joke of a Senator. This president is losing his momentum also because of ineffectivity. Is the ineffectivity brought about by plain incompetence? Or corruption meant to look like incompetence? I think the answer is quite straightforward.
Is there incompetence in choosing people? Or does the President owe too many people that he cannot say no to some special interests?
The people have waited ten years (nine of the bi7ch, and one of this corruption slayer). Alas corruption is still alive. You chose your pistol wisely – a Glock. But your legal team is a paltik; two strikes at the Supreme Court, a third one coming with De Lima’s MR on his Porcine Majesty.
Maybe Pinoys should be given Rip Van Winkle’s brew. Inom, tulog muna, then wake up twenty years from now. Maaaring by then, puro patay na sa cholesterol ang mga baboy.
A man for others daw ang mga Atenista. Yes. A man for the corrupt others.
Bilib talaga ako sa batas ng bansang Pilipinas. Parang itlog na madaling mabasag. Kung tutuusin puwede pala magdala ng napakaraming droga tapos kung hulihin sa hindi tamang paraan ay puwede na makalaya. The holder, the owner dapat ganun. Lalong hindi uunlad ang bansa dahil sa ganun klaseng batas.
Sixty tabs lang ng ecstasy yan. Ang higit na mahalaga sa akin ay yung nakakawalang mga druglords from the Mainland. Yan ang mga nagbabayad ng mga mule, na nase-sentensyahan ng kamatayan sa China.
Dadami pa ang mule na mamamatay habang patuloy ang negosyo ng mga drug lord.
ibig sabihin ba ng acquittal na ito ng alamang boys ay mahina ‘yung legal department ng PDEA at hindi nila nagawang alalayan ang kaso?
saka imposibleng hindi alam ng operatives ang kanilang mga dapat gawin at hinayaang ganu’n na lang ang pag-iingat ng mga ebidensiya.
alalahanin nating noong kainitan ng kasong ito ay napakarami ang sumasawsaw upang huwag makasuhan ang mga nahuli. nariyan ang mismong mga taga DOJ. nariyan ang maimpluwensiyang mga taong may kapit sa nakaraang administrasyon at ‘yun mismong aleng may bangaw sa mukha na ngayon ay ginawang alkansiya ang gulugod.
atorni, di ba’t marami ng drug lords ang binabalitang nahuhuli subalit walang naipakulong dahil mga galante sila sa mga nakaposisyong alam nilang dapat alagaan?
Bulok na ang hustisya. Samahan pa na ang naghahatol ng hustisya puwede mabayaran an pera o ano pang materyal na bagay. Lalong matatawag na bulok na bulok. Maganda pa ang hatol ng mga NPA kasi pinapatay na lang ang hindi mabuting tao. Pero noon iyon. Ngayon hindi na ako bilib sa patakaran ng mga NPA. Idol ko sila noon kasi pinatatahimik talaga nila ang hindi mabuti. Pero ngayon kakaiba na sila. Perwisyo na rin na matatawag. Hindi katulad noon na bayani sila para sa akin. Kung bakit narito ang dahilan sa link na ito.
http://arvin95.blogspot.com/2011/01/npa.html
Sad to say na yan ang naipamana ng mga Peemayers sa pamumuno nila sa PNP Mags. It’s all about the mindset. Masyadong results/mission oriented ang pagkakaalam nila sa paggawa ng trabaho. But times have changed. Even in military campaigns, body count is no longer the barometer of success. Ditto with police operations. It is not enough that we nab the criminals. All the pillars of the justice system must work harmoniously to ensure that they stay in jail. Pag palpak ang pulis, tigok ang kaso. Pag niluto ng fiscal, tigok din. Pag nagapang ang huwes, sayang ang pinagputahan. Masyadong malalim ang simtomas ng sakit. Di lang iisang ahensiya ang may pagkukulang. With this state of affairs that we are in right now, it is an indictment of the flaws of the entire justice system.
Ang nangyari sa Alabang Boys ay hindi nalalayo sa nangyari sa Morong 43. Yun Alabang Boys nahulihan ng droga. Yun Morong 43 nahulihan ng bomb making equipment at instruction manuals. Parehong nakalusot dahil nagkulang ang mga arresting officers. Sa kaso ng Alabang Boys, ang kapalpakan ay sa custody of evidence. Sa kaso ng Morong 43, ang kapalpakan ay sa search warrant.
Kaya ang punto dito ay ayusin ng law enforcers ang trabaho nila ng sa ganun ay hindi sila matechnical sa mga kasong pwede natin tawagun na “slam dunk”.
Ang hindi ko maintindihan ay kung bakit maraming kumapi sa Morong 43 pero kakaunti sa Alabang Boys. Yun droga ba ay mas mabigat na krimen kesa sa terrorismo?
Ito ang sabi ng Hukom. I hope somebody posts the actual decision some time.
Taliwas sa doctrinang yan ang basehan ng pasya ni Juanita Guerrero. Walang patunay na iba ang drogang nahuli, at iyong sinaliksik ng chemist.
Ang di-tahasang sinabi (implied) na depensa ay, nagbenta nga ako, pero hindi droga. Yan ang tinatawag na affirmative defense – oo, may nangyari, pero may paliwanag. Kung may affirmative defense, ang paglahad ng ebidensya ay nalilipat mula sa prosecution, papunta sa depensa. Walang patunay na iba ang nahuli, at yung in-analisa ng chemist. Mali ang desisyon. Maaarig sadya, o tanga ang Hukom. Wala sa pulis ang kapalpakan.
Oops. Mali na naman ang tags. Pasensya na Ellen, puro berde. Ganyan din ang utak ko, ngunit hindi ang wallet ko.
I thought that PDEA did their job well. It’s the prosecutors selling out the case by weakening it!! as they do most of the time for money!!!
If pinoy is really serious about daang matuwid, then its now time for him to act and revamp this office clean!!!
agree ako, henry.
sa kasalukuyang sistemang umiiral, partikular sa hustisya masasabi nating mas kayang lukubin ng taginting ng salapi ang palahaw ng mga humihingi ng katarungan kaya nga nangyayari ang ganitong pagkaabsuwelto ng maimpluwensiyang mga akusado.
palpak na nga ang sistema hinahayaan pa ng mga kinauukulan na gumapang ang kamandag ng salapi.
Morong 43? May pagkakahawig nga.
Sa parehong crimen, mere possession is a crime. Basta tangan mo, kahit wala kang intensyon, may pagkakasala ka na.
Teka muna.
Ilan bang baril ang nahuli sa Morong? Apat? Paanong nademanda ang 43? Magkapit-bisig ba sila habang nakasukbit ang baril sa baywang ng apat?
O baka naman nag-trip to Jerusalem sila, at ang mga baril ay nakasukbit sa mga silya, habang pinaiikutan ng mga Morong 43. Conspiracy nga.
What a stupid indictment.
Manuelbuencamino, bakit masama ang loob mo na nakulong ng tatlong taon ang Alabang Boys? Inosente ba sila?
Weren’t they acquitted due to techicality? That didn’t necessarily means they were innocent and victims of injustice.
Henry, may sinabi ba ang si Guerrero na hindi sila binasahan ng kanilang Miranda Rights ng PDEA agents?
Correction: may sinabi ba si Guerrero……
Ang di-tahasang sinabi (implied) na depensa ay, nagbenta nga ako, pero hindi droga. Yan ang tinatawag na affirmative defense – oo, may nangyari, pero may paliwanag. Kung may affirmative defense, ang paglahad ng ebidensya ay nalilipat mula sa prosecution, papunta sa depensa.
– sax
———————–
yun na nga eh, baka vitamins nga lang yun o viagra?
Ang bilis lang kasi magbaba ng decison ng judge, naalala ko tuloy nung ala blitzkrieg ni Villar nung panahon ni Erap.
Ang prosecution ang kailangang magpatunay ng paratang. Ngunit kung napatunayan na ang mga elemento ng crimen (may binenta, ang tagapagsaliksik ay nagsabing bawal ang binenta), at may paliwanag (hindi bawal ang binenta, o pumayag ang babae, kung kaso ng rape), ang acusado ang kailangang magpatunay ng paliwanag.
Walang patunay ng paliwanag, na hindi bawal ang binenta. Note, kahit kailan ay walang nalathalang tinanggi ng mga bata sa sila ay nagbenta.
Kung huli ang paliwanag, ibig sabihin, pinag-isipan (in other words, palusot). Kung yun ang katotohanan, noon pa sana nila ipinagsigawang ang binenta nila ay diet pills, Viagra, o Cortal.
De Lima: Our hands are tied.
No they are not.
I still hold to the view that Guerrero erred, based on the jurisprudence cited above.
Can somebody tell the trojan to shut up?
Oops. Here is the source.
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=721571&publicationSubCategoryId=63
No awan ka kuarta, awan ka abugado de campanilya kaya sori ka na lang,Kung awan ka makuha hustisya.Hindi fair kamo lakay??? Magkano ang ginagastos ng abugado sa pag-aaral ng abugasya? Alangan naman na patola at upo lang ang bayad sa kanila kung hawakan nila ang kaso mo.Idyay ka kulungan ag penetensya.
Nung bata pa ako naobserbahan ko mga anak ng mayayaman ang pasaway sa bayan, kung anak ka ng maglulupa at nag punta ka sa bayan kapag napagtripan sila gulpi sarado ang aabutin nila, hindi nakita ng pulis iyung pang gugulpi sa kanila.Wala silang makuhang abugado kasi isang sakong kamote ang gustong ibayad at dalawang inahin na nangingitlog.Nag aral ng abugasya ang kuyang ko, nung una iyan ang gusto niya hustisya sa mahihirap, ng binayaran ng isang bilaong bibingka hindi na humawak ng kaso–Sabi pa niya sa sarili hindi ko mabawi ang ginastos ko sa pag-aaral…EHEMMM…Hindi na humawak ng kaso ng tiga sa amin…
Totoo!!!! hustisya ay para sa mayayaman lang.. Naka piring nga si Lady Justice pero nakaumang naman ang palad at naghihintay ng abut.
Public Defender ang kunin mong abugado.. Para kang kumuha ng bato na ipinapukpok mo ng ulo mo, “Plea Bargain” Mag IGGY ka na lang at akuin mo ang kasalanan mo para gagaan ang sentensya mo kahit hindi ikaw ang may gawa.
Becky:
Please read my post. I did not say that the cops did not read the suspects their Miranda rights in the instant case. What I said is, marami pa rin sa police natin, for want of the proper training, ang di aware sa requirement na yan. Lalo na yung mga yung orientation e sundalo tapos ginawa mong pulis. Kaya maraming apprehensions nila e nasasayang dahil sa technicality. Yan ang tenor ng pagkasabi ko.
Manuelbuencamino: Ang hindi ko maintindihan ay kung bakit maraming kumapi sa Morong 43 pero kakaunti sa Alabang Boys. Yun droga ba ay mas mabigat na krimen kesa sa terrorismo? #45
Ito ang malaking difference ng dalawang kaso: hindi ako naniniwala na terorista ang Morong43. Naniniwala ako na drug pusher ang Alabang Boys.
Hukom pa ni putot kaya mabilis maglabas ng desisyon, mas nakalalamang na sinadya!
From day 1, I already had this eerie feeling that these Alabang Boys will not be made as “samples” in the drive against drugs. History will tell us that there’s almost a zero conviction in drug related cases especially if it involved people with money like these “boys” They had the money to invest and it’s a given that in this country having the right capital one can easily buy influence and freedom.
How many drug related cases have been dismissed due to technicalities? Congress and Senate had been very quick to the draw to call an investigation in aid of legislation, but so far nobody has come up yet with the proper legislation to make it easier to prosecute and punish to the maximum these menaces of society. That means all the time they were just into grandstanding, wasting time and money.
Technicalities won over justice. That’s the judge said. Our only comfort is in knowing that they spent sometimes in jail, though not as much as we expected.
Been freed, there’s a possibility that they might be back in the streets or in any place to ply their trade. And how many more victims will they commit into addiction?
This war against drugs can’t be won. Take your cue from the Prohibition. The forces that defeated the war against alcohol are the same forces at work. Law of supply and demand yan. Strangle supply and price shoots up; profit margin stretches so wide as law enforcement tightens. In the hands of the amoral suppliers, more resources to payoff and/or threaten cops, prosecutors, judges, etc (and their loved ones if they prove immovable) and to build an army to go toe to toe with nations’ police forces. Look at the US, with its hundred billion dollar funded campaign, is it winning the war? Nah. With internet, e di lalo na, with distribution going on line…
We need to rethink our strategy.
Isa kang idealistang judge. Me pumunta sa yo me offer na kung ilang milyon para dismisin ang kaso. Kaso mo, idealista ka nga, sabi mo, No Sir, I will see that justice be done. Sabi sa yo, o sige doblehin ko. Sabi mo, No pa rin, matigas ka nga. Sabi sa yo, tanggapin mo yan o iisa-isahin namin lahat ng iyong mga anak at asawa…
#67 and 68
Legalize mo ang damo, like Amsterdam. Saan ba mas maraming sira tuktok na bata? Sa Amsterdam? Or the morally posturing Bible Belt of the US? Saan ba mas maraming pedophile? Sa Sweden, or the “Christian” southern USA?
Of course, papalag ang mga moralista. Papalag din ang mga pretending to be moralista, like you say, dahil sila ang nakikinabang sa trade.
Same thing for jueteng. Legalize na, tama na yung ek-ek. Anyway, karamihan naman ng mga contra, pumupunta sa Vegas, not just to see Pacquiao fight, but to play, and do things that require that “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”
#51
Becky,
Akala ko naintindihan mo ang punto ko. The Alabang Boys were acquitted because the PDEA screwed up. The chain of custody of evidence is just as vital to justice and the rule of law as the proper service and implementation of arrest and search and seizure warrants. Protection ng mamamayan sa pang aabuso ng mga alagad ng batas ang pinaguusapan dito.
Whether those boys were in possession of drugs or not was made irrelevant by the fact that the cops were careless in the handling evidence. The same thing applies to the Morong 43. The fact that explosives and firearms were discovered in the premises where they were staying was made irrelevant because the cops were careless with the service of the search warrant.
“Technicalities” allowed the Morong 43 to regain their freedom. “Technicalities” allowed the Alabang Boys to regain theirs.
But let us not be too rash about condemning “technicalities: because it is those “texhnicalities” that not only protect us but also guarantees our rights against abuses by the powers that be.
So yun mga tanong mo are irrelevant. The law must be observed by everyone. No shortcuts. No lynch mobs. Period.
#64
Al,
“Ito ang malaking difference ng dalawang kaso: hindi ako naniniwala na terorista ang Morong43. Naniniwala ako na drug pusher ang Alabang Boys.”
Opinion mo yan laban sa opinion ng iba. Pero tama ka, siguro nandun yun mga explosibo at baril kasi pagkatapos ng seminar gagamitim nila yun para sa kanilang graduation party fireworks display.
Pero eto ang similarity sa dalawang kaso. Parehong nahulihan ng illegal na bagay.
Yun bahay na tinutuluyan ng Morong 43 ay nahanapan ng expolsives at firearms. Naabswelto sila dahil mali ang search warrant hindi dahil napatunayan nila na hindi kanila ang explosives at firearms.
Yun kotseng sinasakyan ng Alabang Boys ay nahanapan ng 65 tablets of ecstacy, konting marijuana at shabu. Naabswelto sila dahil nasira ang chain of custody ng ebidensya hindi dahil napatunayan nila na hindi kanila ang mga droga.
#70, Manuelbuencamino,I’m sorry but I don’t believe that the so called lapsed in evidence was so grave to set aside the evidence against the wealthy Alabang boys drug pushers.
“Technicality” here was used as camouflage for the corruption in the justice system.
#72
Becky,
Okay if that’s what you believe. However, there was a lapse as the judge pointed out. If a technicality was the loophole, well that’s how the law works.
Do you also think the search warrant issue that led to the dismissal of the charges of possession of explosives and firearms against the Morong 43 was also a camouflage for the corruption in the justice system?
Recall that the search warrant was declared invalid because the address was wrong. Could it not have been explained away as a typographical error considering that the accused were caught with explosives and firearms?
“We need to rethink our strategy.” – ricelander
There aint anymore left of those strategies. Evil, greed, and corruption prevails in this so-called democratic country. Your #68 post says it all. Fear stimulates those that have money to buy their way out of out incarceration regardless of crimes committed.
“Technicalities” allowed the Morong 43 to regain their freedom. “Technicalities” allowed the Alabang Boys to regain theirs. – mb
That is one sad commentary. You seem to inject the notion that those proles (no pun) with small time drug cases languishing in prison have no “technicalities” in their holsters since they can’t afford a lawyer,, voiceless and moneyless so to speak.
My friend Sab-it Singson’s son will NEVER be prosecuted if his case was on Pinas soil. Look where he is now. I still believed in his innocence, he was framed up.
“Legalize mo ang damo, like Amsterdam. Saan ba mas maraming sira tuktok na bata? Sa Amsterdam?” – sax
Most who patronize liberal Amsterdam are out-of-towners like Bill Maher, sane as he can be and no hiprocrisy in his bone about smoking pot. Same as Sin City, most gamblers are out-of-towners.
#75
“You seem to inject the notion that those proles (no pun) with small time drug cases languishing in prison have no “technicalities” in their holsters since they can’t afford a lawyer,, voiceless and moneyless so to speak.”
I am not implying that. A public defender can see technical violations just as well as any high paid lawyer.
Anyway, the issue is to train our law enforcement officers better. We don’t want to relax technicalities just because some assholes are able to slip through them. We need strict rules for law enforcers to safeguard our freedoms.
Adapt, improvise, and conquer.
I personally don’t believe in stereotyping, anyone can learn, anyone can reinvent himself, it just needs an open mind and lots of training.
Army, Marines, Airforce, PSG, etc, personnel can be molded into effective drug enforcement agents, just train them properly. They already have the potential foe dogged persistence and discipline, the penchant for hard work and sacrifice, they will have to adapt to law enforcement aspect of the new job descritption.
If former miliatry personel are able to adapt to the challenging world of corporate life, politics and all, anything is possible. Its just a matter of coming in with an open mind and readiness to make changes while recognizing which skills, strengths, can be channeled to be effective and efficient, bottomline getting the job done, sustainably, adhering to established industry standards and ethics.
For the PDEA, its back to the drawing board, lets learn from the experiences of Marcelino and Santiago, we can never get a more unbiased report as they never succumbed to bribes. If the issue alone is procedural ie following protocal regarding arrests and proper handling of evidence, then strengthen on that area, train, train, train. Lets use whatever we learned from Psychology of Learning and behavior modification and come up with something better.
Has anybody bothered to analyze properly, thoroughly, with workable recommendations, the drug related social problem that we have? Are our problems unique to our country, do we need unique solutions, or are there parallels to the US and even Mexico?
If we need a uniquely Philippine solution, then so be it, we don’t compare ourselves with others, perhaps where the americans failed, we can succeed? We have to get the mindset that we can succeed where others failed, we musn’t compare ourselves with others all the time, we must learn to stand on our own sometime in this lifetime.
Compartmentalize, assess, then, broaden the scope to included the justice system element involved, is it functioning properly, if not, why, how do we make it work? How do we fix it? Then perhaps move on to the attitudinal system of the young people involved, why don’t they have the moral strength to say no? I hope the church decides to examine its role in this matter also instead of spending its resources, time, and efforts in fighting the government.
We can do this if somebody actually starts something. If a senator, or congressman, can’t do it as he is beholden to political favors, then find someone who is not, give him a crack team of prosecutors, fund them, support them, empower them. Its worth spending money on.
This is not the time to grab at each others throats, this is not the time for petty squabbles, this is the time for sobriety, to calmly but decisively come together, build on each others’ ideas, to be open to constructive criticism but also be prepared for deconstruction of erroneous practices and mindsets.
Look also at the supply side, for sure we don’t have the local capability to synthesize the elements to produce the needed raw material for these illegal drugs, they have a source, there is a supply chain, can’t we block them? Or at least find the weaknesses and exploit them eventually effectively diminish them?
And for heaven’s sake lets not pabayaan magmikahng kawawa ang law enforcers natin, when there are hearings again and the accused parade in food lets bring the agents jollibee or mcdonalds man lang?
call me next time ellen i will gladbly sacrifice a month’s worth of spa treatments anytime. 🙂
#37
My two cents worth…
Perhaps it is very unfair to conclude that because Major Marcelino is a Marine officer, he knows nothing about law enforcement. I served under him as an agent of PDEA until my parents asked me to resign from the Agency and instead look after our family business. Although my stint with PDEA is short lived, I can say that it is one of my most cherished experiences and serving under Major Marcelino is one of the greatest privileges I have had in my life. He is a very hardworking, professional and the most humble person I have ever known. I will always remember the motto written in the wall of our office back then: “Silence in Achievement…Humility in Glory.” He lives by that motto.
Indeed, how many of us even know that he’s the one responsible for the arrest and neutralization of several high ranking Abu Sayyaf terrorists including the notorious Abu Sabaya. You will never hear Major Mars, as we fondly call him, tell stories about his feats in the military but try talking to those who also had the privilege of working with him and like me, they will proudly tell you how brave and humble Major Mars is. In fact, we only learned his legendary exploits in Mindanao through the stories of some Marines who sometimes dropped by in our office to visit him. Their stories are full of respect, praises and admiration for the man. Some of their stories about Major Mars are even worth writing for Maalaala Mo Kaya of Charo Santos.
Major Mars does not boast of his capabilities. You will never see him display any certificate or diploma in his office. The only plaque which you can see in his wall is a poem that goes, “The World Needs Men, who cannot be bought; whose word is their bond, who possess character and a will…” I believe that this poem is his personal creed. Yes unlike other offices in the Agency which walls are full of plaques and certificates of the person occupying it, Major Mars’ office is bare and simple. But mind you, he is an alumnus of the International Law Enforcement Academy, represented our country in numerous international forums about drugs here and abroad. In fact, he has been the Task Force Commander of the ASEAN and China Cooperative Operations in Response to Dangerous Drugs. He is a recipient of numerous citations and awards and I can still remember I drove for him when he received his award as an Outstanding Law Enforcer of the Year by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption in 2009. He is a well-rounded officer and top notch intelligence officer. I believe nobody among any other law enforcement agencies in our country can do what he has done – neutralizing a transnational drug syndicate operating worldwide. Yes, he flew, infiltrated and with the help of foreign counterparts arrested the members of the syndicate operating in Brazil, Peru, Thailand, Hongkong, China, Philippines and Malaysia. By doing so, he was able to save many Filipinos who are being victimized by the syndicate as drug mules. Nobody from PNP, NBI or PDEA has ever done that except him. And we will never know those operations had not for Erwin Tulfo who covered his operation in Hongkong. The same thing that few of us knew that the Chinese government is all praises for him for neutralizing the largest drug syndicate operating in Southeast Asia whose drug laboratory in the country is owned by a prosecutor of a town in Bulacan. The numerous high profile operations and the number of clandestine drug laboratories he dismantled are testaments to his intelligence and operational acumen.
Although he is not a lawyer, during our meetings, he will recite verbatim the provisions of RA 9165 or the anti-drug law just to emphasize to us that we should know it by heart.
There are a lot more which I would like to share about this man, from my own experience with him and from what I have heard about him. But he will not be happy with that; as he always reminds us, “Silence in Achievement…Humility in Glory.”
I believe money changed hands for the acquittal of the Alabang Boys. Remember their first defense is the “fruit of the poisonous tree” saying that the evidence is inadmissible because no buy bust ever happened. But Judge Guerrero herself admitted it was a valid operation. Then they said that PDEA kidnapped those drug pushers but again it did not push through. Until the Judge helped them.
Let us just remember that just like what he told Ellen, the fight against illegal drugs is not his fight alone. After all, it’s People of the Philippines vs. Alabang Boys and not Major Marcelino vs. Alabang Boys. You and I belong to the people of the Philippines. We have an obligation.
Indeed, Major Mars’ relief from PDEA is a great loss and major setback for our country’s anti-drug campaign. But I know that wherever he is and in whatever mission he is right now, he will do great things and will always be a blessing to the unit and the people he works with!
Ellen, di ba sa PDEA napunta – kinuha ni dionisio – yung unang batch ng Magdalo na tumanggap ng amnesty kay putot? Or ilan lang sa kanila, like Maestrecampo?
Baguneta, Magdalo guys who joined PDEA have been cleared of mutiny but discharged from military service for conduct unbecoming an officer and gentleman. They did not get amnesty from Gloria Arroyo.
Some of them remained with the Magdalo while others had left the group. Being a member of Magdalo had nothing to do with their work in PDEA.
That was one good thing about Santiago. He gave those young idealistic officers the chance to do good for the country.
The case of Gambala, Maestrocampo et al is another story. Iba yun. They had nothing to do with PDEA.
Maestrocampo joined Gen. Esperon at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process. Remember Esperon was part of the group that formed the unlamented MOA-AD.
Thanks for the enlightenment, mandirigma. We all know how difficult it is to fight against the perpetrators of the drug menace. Billions raked in by the syndicates help BUY silence, favorable decisions, and ultimately, (in)justice.
Marcelino, to me, did a good job, it’s just the friggin’ system that failed. It is often the good guys that are painted evil by the syndicates’ paid hacks in media and supported by their equally-evil political patrons. Remember Kiko Villaroman, John Campos (RIP), Acop and Lacson were “demolished” by the comical Victor Corpuz and a mere Rosebud in Joker Arroyo’s committee?
Just last year, Villaroman was named to replace the MPD director who bungled the Luneta Massacre but the appointment was recalled because Rosebud and VACC allegedly called Malacañang to protest.
If this is what Corpuz and his gang heralded as narco-politics throwing it’s weight in government, I’m sure they are looking at the wrong guys. They should instead stare at the ugly beasts in the mirror.
Reply to #51 and #57:
Judge Guerrero made an erroneous decision, in fact, the DOS and the Solicitor General will be filing a Motion for Reconsideration and certiorari. An administrative case “must” also be filed against Judge Gurrero.