” Marantan’s critics will definitely take delight in seeing him being humiliated and removed from his designation at the equally controversial CIDG “
His job appears to be cut out for him; it is fraught with risks and perils. Because of his calling, he is hounded by his detractors like agitated wasps and hornets.
Police Colonel Hansel M. Marantan is the regional chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group for Metro Manila. As such, he has to rub elbows with even the crime bosses of the underworld and the white-collar, casino-playing criminals in sartorial suits.
I won’t even be surprised to know if he chews death threats for breakfast.
His critics will definitely take delight in seeing him being humiliated and removed from his designation at the equally controversial CIDG. But he is not easy to be intimidated nor cowed. He can be as “tough as nails,” if you ask me. He has nerves of steel.
If there were real-life superheroes, I’d call him Superman, the Man of Steel. Like the Marvel superhero, Marantan works quietly and operates efficiently, avoiding fanfare as much as possible.No, I’m not into some kind of hero-worship or idolatry; it’s just that the officer impresses me so much.
Marantan fought many battles against private armed groups and terrorists. He and his men engaged the culprits in a firefight head-on with 30 trained and fully armed goons who perpetrated the RCBC massacre of 2008 in Cabuyao, Laguna. The private armed group masterminded numerous bank robberies and kidnappings nationwide and the gang members were infamously known as “Kuratong Baleleng OCG.”
We have not seen how he fought, bled, and grieved over the demise of some of his loyal men.
Unknown to many, Marantan has bolted in his body 52 metal screws, 4 bone plates, one knee needed replacement, and his left ear impaired. If you see him holding his left ear much often, it’s because he is trying to be audible to himself and his listeners. Those gunshot wounds he incurred are scars from every victory he fought against the undesirables of the society. Many have never been so grateful about his heroic deeds until now. How biased people could be to a supposed gem of the PNP.
It has taken a grieving widow to amplify Marantan’s courageous deeds in public. The wife of murdered governor of Negros Oriental, Janice Degamo, has made a lasting impression with her remarks during her testimony before the Senate. “I’ve heard many good things about him. Siya rin ang nanghuli sa Bersamin killers (a politician in Abra) and the assassins of another politico in Visayas. We don’t want many men on the ground but only those who are passionate about their job. Si Colonel Marantan, hindi natatakot gawin ang kanyang trabaho.“
The senators present at the Senate committee hearing tried to pin him down on allegations of irregularities against him and his men at the CIDG. Their line of questioning was rather tame, as if not intending to disrespect an officer and a witness.
Senator Francis Tolentino sought to clarify Marantan’s status at the CIDG.
The “tough cop” said he had submitted a courtesy resignation out of delicadeza, invoking “command responsibility”. But no case was ever filed, according to Marantan.
Senator JV Ejercito also asked about the charges that linked Marantan and his men to an alleged “hulidap” or robbery and extortion on Chinese nationals during a Paranaque raid.
All these allegations Marantan debunks point by point. Exemplifying grace under pressure, he takes the opportunity to turn the tables against his critics: “There was an allegation, categorical and conclusive statements, made by the DCA himself (P/Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia.We thought there were pieces of evidence to back up the allegations.
“Marantan: ”It is a very basic (rule) in investigation that before you can make accusations, there should be a complaint/affidavit from the victims. But there was no such complaint-affidavit from the supposed complainants or victims.”
Instead, the 13 Chinese nationals later came up with an affidavit stating that they were not complaining and that there were no irregularities allegedly committed by Marantan and his team.
The DCA “is biased against my men,” Marantan said. “We can stay here even for as long as one year but nothing will come out of it because there is no case at all,” Marantan added.
The senators were beaten to the draw by Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla who had awarded Marantan with the PNP Medal of Valor long before the lawmakers could raise their questions.
Now, Marantan is back in the saddle of the CIDG-NCR, going about his sworn duty “to serve and protect” the people. Marantan‘s star is on the rise. One star at a time and no one will complain, I’m sure. Here’s a tough cop who’s well worth watching.
Perhaps next time around, instead of stinging hornets and wasps, the friendly and well-meaning witnesses will come and visit CIDG to help him solve more crimes.***
(The author is a freelance writer whose varied interests range from crime stories to environment to fancy cars to practically any topic under the sun and the moon.)