The military's intelligence unit supported the defense of anti-drug-enforcer-turned-drug-suspect Lt Col. Ferdinand Marcelino that he had been conducting intelligence operations against drug syndicates when he was caught in a drug buy-bust in 2016.

In a certification by the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) on January 19, the unit said Marcelino had been collaborating in anti-drug efforts with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and other agencies even after his stint with the ISAFP.

The ISAFP further said Marcelino has never been involved in illegal activities particularly illegal drugs.

The certification, signed by ISAFP Chief BGen Ronald Villanueva, was one of the documents presented by Marcelino's defense panel from the Public Attorney's Office at a hearing in Branch 49 of the Manila Regional Trial Court Tuesday morning.

Marcelino was not present at the hearing.

PAO Chief Atty Persida Acosta said the certification showed the military's support for Marcelino, an active duty officer who faces a revived drug-trading case together with Chinese national Yan Yi Shou.

The defense also presented a letter from former Customs commissioner Jessie Dellosa calling Marcelino a prime support agent for the bureau's intelligence group who provided information for its anti-drug cases and operations.

During the hearing, however, representatives of the police anti-illegal drugs group and the PDEA said they knew of no involvement by Marcelino in anti-drug operations at the time or that the ISAFP had been conducting such ops.

The prosecution also pointed at the lack of proof or documents that gave Marcelino authority to conduct operations in the townhouse where he and Yan Yi Shou were apprehended in January 2016.

The defense said Marcelino was only gathering information on the drug operation for the NBI along with the Chinese national who they described as an "action agent".

Meanwhile, prosecutors also opposed the military's request to the court to handle custody of Marcelino and detain him at Camp Aguinaldo.

Prosecutor Atty Juan Pedro Navera said Marcelino should be detained at the city jail since he was being tried for a criminal and civilian case and had not been proven to be involved with the military at the time he was arrested.

The court presided by Judge Daniel Villanueva gave the prosecution and defense 30 days to submit their respective memoranda of their facts and arguments before it decides the case.

It also gave the prosecution 15 days to pass a rejoinder for the custody of Marcelino.

The PDEA nabbed P320 million worth of shabu in the townhouse where Marcelino and Yan Yi Shou were caught and which was allegedly used as a clandestine laboratory.

Marcelino's drug case was dismissed by the DOJ later in 2016 before it reversed its decision.

Marcelino was known for his involvement in celebrated anti drug busts, such as the Alabang boys in 2008.