by Jocelyn Uy
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Retired generals and flag officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are backing the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and its chief Dionisio Santiago for enforcing drug laws “without fear of favor.”
Mired in a bribery scandal involving a drug case against the so-called “Alabang Boys,” the PDEA must be supported by “patriotic and decent” people for continuing to perform its mandated duties well, said the Association of General and Flag Officers, Inc. (AGFO) in a resolution.
“Through the years, the PDEA has been conscientious in the performance of its duties [and] in doing its mandated tasks, it has been subjected to a lot of innuendoes and brickbats, so as to discredit its good name its personnel,” said the resolution.
“Patriotic and decent people should go out of their way to support a government agency that is performing its duties to the best of its abilities,” it said.
The AGFO board of directors approved the resolution on Wednesday, a day after Santiago and PDEA agent, Marine Major Ferdinand Marcelino, reaffirmed at a hearing of the House committee on illegal drugs, claims they made earlier that bribes had been offered them to release the suspects.
The resolution, a copy of which was made available to reporters at Camp Aguinaldo on Friday, was signed by retired major general Jose Maria Solquillo and retired brigadier general Jaime Echeverria, the association’s corporate secretary and chairman, respectively.
Marcelino said at the hearing on Tuesday that a relative of Joseph Tecson, one of the three suspects, had offered him a bribe of up to P20 million in exchange for the release of the suspects. The two other suspects are Richard Brodett and Jorge Joseph.
Brodett, Joseph and Tecson were separately arrested on September 20 in Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa City and the south gate of Araneta Center in Quezon City for carrying 60 tablets of Ecstasy, sachets of cocaine and packets of marijuana.
Santiago also informed lawmakers during the five-hour hearing that the “Alabang Boys” supplied illegal drugs to The Embassy Super Club at The Fort in Taguig City and other high-end bars in Makati City and Quezon City.
“Now, therefore, be it resolved by the board of directors of AGFO to express its full support to PDEA, under its director general Dionisio Santiago in its effort to implement the Philippine drug laws without fear of favor,” said the group.
The retired AFP officers also agreed to furnish President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Vice President Noli de Castro, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and House Speaker Prospero Nograles a copy of the resolution
May it be the start of the fall of the Pidal Empire. Enough is enough. 2010 is too long for an evil fake President.
One thing that disturbs me is when PDEA Director Santiago said the P50M bribery was a psy-war. What did he mean by that? It’s imperative that he clarifies what he said.
David Brodett’s siblings are now all around the media denying his accusation and talking trash about him. DOJ and the drug syndicate are now actively getting back at PDEA.
Look at the accused’s new version: The young Brodett’s mom now says his son never took drugs; and that he doesn’t know the other two suspects. Oh my God! They better get a good lawyer to coach them.
be, in my opinion, it is the DOJ, the State Prosecutors Assc., and the camp of the Alabang boys who are doing the psywar against PDEA. They are defaming and doing the most damage they can to discredit them while covering themselves up.
When Gen. Santiago mentioned the word psywar, perhaps what he really meant was he just trying to provoke them to force DOJ to spill out the beans. It is most likely that Gen. Santiago was just used to using the word psywar during his campaign against the NPA while he was active in the military. Perhaps, his disappointments with the DOJ’s dismissal of numerous high profile drug cases may have cause him to stir the DOJ up.
Ho-hum. Lets see how many of the retired peoples’ children are into drugs. Perhaps the PDEA should upload names in ths sector alone. They are the menace of our future.
Here’s the latest: A Brodett sibling suffered heart attack in the US upon seeing Dave Brodett testifying another brother on drugs. Assuming that the sibling suffered heart attack, it doesn’t erase the fact that the other family’s son was guilty of drug trafficking. Yes, the accused could get some sympathy from the public as a result of the consequence; but truth is truth no matter who gets hurt. People should be wiser and I believe they are.
Ellen, hindi mo yata napapansin pa na “comments are off” sa topic sa isyu ng “Prosecutors support Zuno…..”. Just letting you know.
Malamang na umatras si Gloria kapag lumabas ng tuluyan ang mga EX-generals at i-head on si Raul. Sinimulan na n’yang pakalmahin ang mga EX… nagpi-PR na si Yano!
At pini-PR na rin ni Yano sina Sulbatz, heheh!
Si Gloria aatras, Chi? I doubt it. She will find other means to pressure Marcelino. Like this NBI investigation.
If I were Maj. Marcelino, why would I go to NBI? Would Mantaring be able to conduct a credible investigation? Who is his boss? Siraulo Gonzalez!
Siraulo has already cleared his prosecutors and has been antagonistic to Marcelino.
Marcelino has already shared info to congressmen in an executive session. He can do so in the Senate. But not with the NBI which is under DOJ.
Want to send email to PDEA? Just send it to the address below
pdea_pos@pdea.gov.ph
Aha! siRaulo is tricking Major Marcelino to his lair ha! Buti na lang at marunong si Major, hindi umapir sa NBI.
Kunyari lang ang mga retired general na iyan. Naghihintay lang siguro ng tawag mula kay May Deperensiya ng offer ni Gloria Mandarambong sa kanila para tumahimik bigla. Same old story ‘ika nga.
With the prosecutor conniving and condoning the criminals what can you expect? You bet your bottom dollar these criminals called “Alabang Boys” will never be convicted but perhaps even given saucy positions in the Pidal government soon. Ang lalakas ng loob sa totoo lang na magsinungaling like the one leading the Filipinos now to their doom.
Kawawang bansa!
No bilib ako sa DEA ng Pilipinas, but apparently, Marcelino is trying hard to change its bad image because of a lot many agents there seemingly involved themselves in drug trafficking, etc. Kaya all the more reason why we should support him.
Pero bakit kailangan pang ipagdakdakan ni Biazon ang award-award daw e ginagawa lang niya ang trabaho niya for which he is being paid with taxpayers’ money. Tuturuan pa iyong tao na magtrabaho lang para magkaroon ng award. Sistema ng mga sipsipan at pasikatan puede ba tigilan na! Ang dapat nilang ituro sa mga tao sa bayan sinilanganan ay kundi mo kayang gawin ang tungkulin mo, QUIT! Ibigay ang trabaho sa talagang magtatrabaho. Hindi iyong ipinapairal pa ang bribery in kinds and cash. Pwe!
Chi,
Di kayang PR-in ni Yano si Sulbatz. Kung tama ang ginawa ni Yano, papalakpak yan si Sulbatz. Pero pag mali, babanat yan.
Hehehehe
Statement for former PNP Chief Ramon Montaño:
Thanks Ellen for posting former PNP Chief Ramon Montaño’s statement.
In my own opinion, DOJ’s prosecutors are prosecutors of the poor and defense attorneys for the rich and influential crooks only.
That’s why PDEA was greatly piqued by the DOJ’s numerous and exceptionally rapid dismissal of high profile cases. PDEA dangerously worked so hard, spending lots of manhours, and doing all the legworks to bust criminals engage in drug trade.
Siguro yung teleseryeng “Kahit Isang Saglit” ni Jericho Rosales ay based sa true to life story of some PDEA cases! I’m just reminded of the events shown in that teleserye and the happenings now!
Subaltz:
Basta kayo, ingat lang parati! Si Major M surrounded by traitors ‘yan! Kailangan ‘yan ng todo back up!
For retired M/G Montano to come out swinging with flippancies can come back and haunt him. Most, if not all the generals in Gluerilla’s closet can simply point out Montano’s reign as Head of the PC/INP wasn’t awesome and spectacular either. Am sure they are at will to open some pandora’s if it need be.
That long to notice that?
Mabuhay The Sulbatz and the Great Marines! (Dolorfino, not included). 🙂
Today, the PDEA feels that the prosecutors are not on their side. Instead of assisting them in the preparation of their cases, they are more eager in the dismissal of cases! – Ex PNP chief Montano
TOUCHE!
Hinahanap ko ang statement ni Ex-Gen. Fidel V. Ramos! Nawawala lang ba? Hehehehe!!! Hoy, Eddie…lumabas-labas ka naman sa pundya ni Gloria! Sori sa aking panawagan, irrelevant na nga pala si Fidel Ramos!
I’m not a fan of Gen. Montano but his statement of support for the PDEA and Major Marcelino is very much welcome. In this time of crisis when the youth is most affected, the PDEA need all the support we can offer for the sakes of Major Marcelino and those like him at PDEA.
The retired Generals have issued similar statements many times in the past, but nothing came out of it. Major Marcelino doesn’t need an award as proposed by Biazon. The young Marine officer has lots of commendations from his excellent performance in Mindanao. Biazon is doing it for political reason…for his son whom he’s grooming to become a Senator. The younger Biazon was present in the Congressional drug hearing.
BE: The retired Generals have issued similar statements many times in the past, but nothing came out of it.
*****
Tama ka. Kaya nga sabi ko kunyari lang ang mga retired general na iyan. Same old story ‘ika nga. Walang mangyayari sa panawagan nila na mukhang parinig pa nga kay Gloria Mandarambong na utusan na niya si Medy Perensiya na magdala ng sobreng money-filled sa kanila!
Saan ka naman nakakita ng mga taga-usig na kakampi ng mga suspected criminals? Sa amin, di puedeng mag-kutsaba ang taga-usig sa tagapagtanggol at lalong di magsasabi sa mga pulis na tatanggalin sila sa trabaho kapag hinuli nila ang mga kriminal. Onli in da Pilipins na naman! Yuck!
chi, nakalimutan mo din ‘atang ipuwera si dagang estero juan martires, ah?!
baka isipin ng dagang ‘yun na nalinis na ‘yung pangalan at mga kaso niya?
teka, marine officer ba si john d’ rat?
hindi ‘ata, eh. dagang estero lang.
We have a name for John d’ Rat. He is what we called REMF (rear-echelon-moth**fuc**) He is a disgrace to his fellow (Philippine) Marines and to any other Sea Warriors of the world!
Sori, Magno. Si John d’ rat nga pala e ke taas na ng ranggo sa Marines. Ang dagang ito ang dapat una sa listahan na hindi included sa The Great Marines.
Tangnang John Rat Martir!
Re: john d’rat, dagang estero lang?
MPRivera,
Kaya pala utak burak yan eh kasi dalang estero….
MPR sori ha…dagang estero not dalang estero, ok!
Korek 0311, john d’rat is a shameful soldier…dishonorable to his feloow heroic and men of valor AFP/PNP soldiers.
Mali si Montaño, hindi naman naging mayor ng Kyusi si Sotto, vice lang.
********
Grizzy, yung AGFO, mga retired generals iyan. Ang kaibahan niyan sa mga retired generals na nagsilbi kay Gloria, yung mga ex-generals ni pandak, kundi Dept. Sec., o CEO ng isang GOCC, Ambassador sa kung anong bansa.
Re: “(Dolorfino, not included).” — Chi
Strip Dolforino of his rank — he is unfit to command the Philippine Marines.
patuloy ang pagbaba ng morale ng marines at lalo pa silang malulubog sa kadismayahan kapag sila ay pinamunuan ng isang dagang mahilig maglaboy nang matagalan na’y hindi pa marunong magpaalam!
ay! sori.
daga nga pala!
paano ngang magpapaalam?
utak burak nga pala (pahiram, bitche).
nakupo! si balweg pala ‘yun!
sori, padir!