Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Philippine National Police Anti-Illegal Drugs Group (PNP-AIDG), in a preliminary investigation by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday (February 10), insisted that Col. Ferdinand Marcelino should stay at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Taguig City.
This despite the Justice Department’s position to transfer Marcelino to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) or the Philippine Navy.
The PNP-AIDG pointed out that allowing Marcelino’s transfer would set a bad precedent.
C/Insp. Roque Merdeguia of PNP-AIDG insisted that Marcelino should be in their custody since they were the ones who apprehended the former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) official.
“Basic naman yun eh. Kami nakahuli, sa amin ang custody. Sa PDEA naman may existing agreement between PDEA and BJMP,” Merdeguia said.
“Natural lang na sa BJMP. Sila ang may kakahayan mag secure ng mga high-valued and high-profile inmates katulad ng respondents.”
[Translation: That’s basic. We arrested him, so the custody should be ours. There is an existing agreement between PDEA and BJMP. It’s natural that BJMP will take him in. They have the capability to secure high-valued and high-profile inmates like the respondents.]
Merdeguia added it would open the “floodgate” for requests coming from members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines who are languishing in jail.
The PNP-AIDG also added, the proposal would create a negative perception of Marcelino enjoying special treatment while in detention.
Meanwhile, Chinese national Yi Shou Yan also submitted on Wednesday his counter affidavit denying his involvement in the shabu laboratory. He says he was just working as Marcelino’s “asset.”
Marcelino’s camp said they would wait for the PNP-AIDG to answer Yan’s counter affidavit before they will submit his rejoinder.
Marcelino would stay at the BJMP in the meantime, until the DOJ rules on his case.
The next hearing is set on February 15th.
