MARINE Maj. Ferdinand Marcelino is not going on leave from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
Citing “operational commitments,” PDEA Director General Dionio Santiago denied Friday Marcelino’s request for leave of absence filed earlier in the week.
Marcelino, head of PDEA’s Special Enforcement Service, sought permission to go on leave after President Gloria Arroyo ordered him investigated for releasing a driver of a vehicle who was in the vicinity when PDEA conducted the buy-bust operation on the “Alabang Boys” in September 2008.
“Major Marcelino’s leadership and presence is vital and irreplaceable in these operations,” Santiago said in a statement. “His intent is by all means meritorious and laudable; however, I cannot approve the request at the moment.”
Santiago, however, cleared Marcelino’s participation in the efforts to rescue the three hostages from the International Committee of the Red Cross who are being held by Abu Sayaff bandits in Sulu.
On Tuesday, Santiago predicted a looming shortage of “shabu,” the country No. 1 drug of choice, after police and PDEA operatives arrested on March 21 the master chemist of the Chinese Triad.
Cai Xihe, alias Chua Sak Hap, was nabbed when antidrug operatives dismantled a clandestine shabu laboratory in Cainta, Rizal.
The laboratory is connected to the kitchen-type laboratory in Sta. Cruz, Manila operated by Victor Chiu, which was busted by PDEA and Manila Police antidrug. About P42 million worth of shabu, chemicals and equipment were seized during the Manila raid.
PDEA identified Cai as the brother of Shao Chuan Tian, the Triad leader who operated the mega-clandestine shabu laboratory in Calumpit, Bulacan busted by PDEA in December 2006.
A Pasig City regional trial court convicted Cai and six others after their arrest during a raid on a shabu lab in San Juan City. But the Court of Appeals, citing technicalities, reversed their conviction in May 2007
PDEA sought to have Cai and his companions deported by Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan, pointing out that the Chinese nationals were illegal aliens and had no working visa.
Cai and his brother are wanted by the China National Narcotics Control Commission, which demanded their deportation for the shipment of tons of ephedrine, a shabu precursor.
Libanan, however, granted Cai’s petition for bail, citing a July 4, 2007 memorandum from Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez recommending the release of the Chinese national. The Bureau of Immigration also cited “meritorious and on humane grounds” in releasing Cai.