By FELIPE V. CELINO

ROXAS City – “The arrest of Capiz’s No. 1 drug suspect Sulpicio ‘Sulping’ Marcelino was my best birthday gift,” said Gov. Victor Tanco.

Tanco celebrated his birthday on October 15. Marcelino, on the other hand, was recaptured by the authorities the following day in Montalban, Rizal province.

Tanco said he was informed about the presence of Marcelino in Rizal province evening of October 15. He immediately informed Senior Supt. Renato Gumban, Capiz police director, to plan out the arrest.

Marcelino returned to Capiz the other day and was presented to the media in a press conference in the Pag-ulikid Training Center, Brgy. Lanot here.

According to Atty. Jose Villanueva, Marcelino will be put under maximum security at the Capiz Rehabilitation Center.

Marcelino escaped from the Capiz Rehabilitation Center (CRC) in Brgy. Lawa-an here on September 26 during the barangay fiesta.

Insp. Paul Ledesma, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) investigating agent, said Marcelino, a “high-risk detainee,” is facing three illegal drug cases.

Villanueva said a deeper investigation on the case will be pushed.

Meanwhile, Villanueva said the P50,000 bounty is yet to be sent to the informant, who reportedly was a former Capiz mediaman already residing in Rizal./PN