Detained mistahs rally behind PDEA executive

MANILA, Philippines - Six soldiers detained for the alleged February 2006 coup attempt on Tuesday expressed support for Major Ferdinand Marcelino, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) official who exposed the supposed bribery of officials handling the drug case of three suspects belonging to rich and affluent families. In a statement, the six soldiers - Marcelino's classmates at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Bantay Laya Class of 1994 - commended the PDEA official for coming out with the "truth." "We wish to convey to you our unequivocal support as you stand on your ground to tell the truth. The search for it is a costly endeavor if it runs against the interest of the powers that be," the statement read. Listed as signatories were Army Captains Montano Almodovar, Isagani Criste, Joey Fontiveros, Ruben Guinolbay, James Sababan, and Frederick Sales. "As your mistahs (term for classmate at the PMA), we feel proud as another member of the class chose the road less traveled, unmindful of the consequences that come with it. One can not just sit back in his comfort zone and become deaf,mute and blind to the evils that pervades in our society today," the statement read. The detained soldiers said they are praying for Marcelino, who they said is "subjected to all kinds of pressures." "In the end, it will only be the truth that will prevail and will set you free. As our class name "Bantay Laya" connotes,we should stand guard against tyranny of whatever form," they added. The six soldiers were detained after supporting Brigadier General Danilo Lim, who in 2006 allegedly planned along with Marine Col. Col. Ariel Querubin, to withdraw support from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Marcelino, PDEA Special Enforcement Services head, alleged that the families of Richard Brodett, Jorge Jordana Joseph, Joseph Tecson offered P50 million for DOJ prosecutors to dismiss the case against the three suspects. Marcelino also claimed that he was offered P3 million by the Tecsons so he will not file charges in the first place, but said he refused to take the bribe. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV