I MET Ferdinand ‘Ferds’ Marcelino in the late 80s if not early 90s when our paths crossed in what used to be the most widely circulated campus paper in the Philippines.

He was then a reporter covering the various school beats — finance, security, colleges, etc. — while I was news editor for the DAWN, the official organ of the University of the East.

The frail looking but prolific news gatherer was the silent type. Each day, he would interview top officials, file good copies, and give everybody that enigmatic smile before completely ‘vanishing’.

At that time, nothing told me there was a fierce ‘warrior’ within the very humble college student from the north. Until one day, I got news he entered the Philippine Military Academy.

Fast forward. I was already working for a national daily when Ferds’ name hogged the headlines.

Already a colonel at the Philippine Marines in 2008, he led the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to capture a drug syndicate in Ayala, Alabang.

It was a celebrated feat by the PDEA as Ferds and his men successfully dismantled an organized crime group supposed to be ‘untouchable’.

News of Ferds’ bravery quickly spread and he soon became the hero of every Filipino who hated illegal drugs.

Unknown to me, Ferds had other relevant national contributions that only his peers can attest to.

The same peers revealed Ferds specializes in intelligence, a field where he is known as the ‘Aguileon’ — the eagle and the lion personified — and ‘The Gung Ho’.

After the Ayala, Alabang raids, Ferds went on to lead the Special Intelligence Force of ISAFP.

He launched eight Special Intelligence Projects leading to the successful implementation of 198 Target Packets (TPs) here and abroad.

Those TPs resulted in the seizure of several billions worth of illegal drugs; confiscation of billions worth of smuggled goods; arrest of 895 high-risk foreign nationals, terrorists, and key personalities of various organized crime groups.

They also paved the way for the neutralization of high value targets mostly members of the Communist Terrorist Group’s central committee and the recovery of large caches of weapons and other war material.

Ferds’ colleagues say he works silently (just like in college) and without fanfare – unseen, unheard – for the greater good of the country and the people.

For his brothers from the academy, the life of Ferds — a perfect candidate for a blockbuster movie material — is a legendary saga of struggles, personal sacrifices and tons of extra ordinary accomplishments which are mostly classified.

Thus, I’m not surprised if Ferds is getting this year’s Cavalier Award from the PMA Alumni Association Inc. (PMAAAI) on February 17 in Baguio.

The Cavalier Award is the highest recognition given by PMAAAI to an alumnus with outstanding accomplishments.

Definitely, it’s another solid vindication for some key setbacks that come with the super demanding job of Ferds to protect the state and the people.

In particular, Ferds is receiving the Cavalier Award for Special Operations.

Congrats Ferds! One knows what it takes to be the best in ‘special ops’. Guys like you — mysterious and full of surprises– are the worst nightmare of the enemy.

I’m so glad you’re on the side of the peace loving Filipinos.

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