PDEA official covering up for 'mistah' – prosecutor

MANILA, Philippines – A senior state prosecutor on Friday accused an official of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) of hiding vital information in connection with the "Alabang Boys" scandal. Senior State Prosecutor Phillip Kimpo, vice chair of the Task Force on Anti-Illegal Drugs of the Department of Justice, said Marine Maj. Ferdinand Marcelino Jr., head of the PDEA Special Enforcement Services, was covering up for a classmate who was supposed to have acted as emissary for relatives of the "Alabang Boys" to bribe law enforcers. Marcelino earlier testified before the House Dangerous Drugs Committee hearing on the scandal that a former classmate at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) approached him last year to say that a P3 million fund was being offered for the PDEA to drop the drug charges it filed against drug suspects Richard Brodett, Jorge Jordana Joseph, and Joseph Tecson. The trio from Alabang district in Muntinlupa were arrested in September by PDEA agents led by Marcelino during a buy-bust operation. Allegedly seized from the three were several types of banned drugs. Marcelino, however, agreed to name his former classmate only after the committee, which is chaired by Ilocos Norte Rep. Roque Ablan, held an executive session or closed door hearing. On Friday, Kimpo said Marcelino’s refusal to give his classmate’s name was suspicious. "Allegedly incorruptible daw 'yung hero nila ngayon [Marcelino]. He was covering up for his mistah [classmate]. May itinatago," the prosecutor said. ["Their hero is allegedly incorruptible. He was covering up for his mistah. He's hiding something."] Kimpo then cautioned PDEA officials to refrain from accusing anyone without showing proof, or they be would be charged with libel. Marcelino’s testimony at the House hearing has turned him into an overnight sensation, with some of his fellow Marines declaring support for his stand on the controversy. On Friday morning, Kimpo and other members of the task force resigned en masse, saying they could no longer work under the "cloud of doubt" created by the controversy, according to chief prosecutor Jovencito Zuño. Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez has yet to accept the task force members' resignations. - GMANews.TV