raw free marker is showing up in email template

When trying to get this freemarker to work the raw freemarker is showing up in the rendered email. why?

here is the email template freemarker

Your order has shipped! PO # ${transaction.createdfrom.otherrefnum}

<p>Dear <#--FM:BEGIN--><#if transaction.entity.firstname?has_content>${transaction.entity.firstname}<#else>${transaction.entity}</#if><#--FM:END-->,</p> <p>We're pleased to inform you that your order has been shipped!</p> <p>Order Information:<br />PO #: ${transaction.createdfrom.otherrefnum}<br />Ship Date: ${transaction.trandate}</p> <p><#--FM:BEGIN--><#if transaction.trackingnumbers?has_content><br />Tracking Information: ${transaction.trackingnumbers}<br /></#if><#--FM:END--></p> <p>Thank you for your business! If you have any questions about your shipment, please don't hesitate to contact our customer service team.</p>