NBI clears prosecutors,raps
major
Says there was no bribe try, Marcelino obstructed probe
BY EVANGELINE DE VERA
THE National Bureau of Investigation has submitted its
report to the Department of Justice clearing state prosecutors implicated in
the bribery scandal involving the so-called "Alabang Boys."
But the NBI, which is under the justice department, found
basis to charge Marines Maj. Ferdinand Marcelino with obstruction of justice
for refusing to appear before its investigators.
Marcelino, head of the Special Enforcement Services of the
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, led buy-bust operations in September last
year, which resulted in the arrest of Richard Brodett, Joseph Tecson and Jorge
Joseph.
Last Jan. 13, President Arroyo
proclaimed herself the country’s anti-drug czar, stepping
into the feud between the Philippine Drug Enforcement
Agency and the Department of Justice over the "Alabang
Boys," the three young men arrested and detained for
illegal drug pushing and who allegedly tried to bribe
their way to freedom.
Except for ordering DOJ officials and
prosecutors to go on leave, Arroyo has kept mum on the
charges of bribery, inefficiency and conflicts of interest
that were exchanged between prosecutors and antinarcotics
officials and agents. Her move has resulted in an uneasy
peace between warring agencies that are supposed to work
closely together in the anti-drug effort.
"The anti-drug campaign requires a
united front, a harmonious relationship with other
agencies," a senior police official said. But he lamented
that the attacks on both the PDEA and DOJ have "destroyed
institution(s), including those who are innocent."
THE International Committee of the Red Cross
yesterday said it wants the "safe and unconditional return" of
its three workers abducted last week in Sulu by suspected Abu
Sayyaf members.
There were reports that the kidnappers of
Swiss Andreas Notter, Italian Eugenio Vagni and Filipina Mary
Jean Lacaba are demanding a stop to police and military
operations to pave the way for the start of negotiations.
Reports also said the kidnappers are asking for a P5-million
ransom.
Jean-Daniel Tauxe, head of the ICRC-Manila
delegation head, belied the ransom demand.
