FOLLOWING the National Capital Region Police Office’s (NCRPO) directive, some 87 police personnel assigned to southern Metro Manila were subjected to a surprise random drug test. The move was part of the effort of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to weed out drug users in its ranks.
Southern Police District (SPD) Director Jose Arne De Los Santos said that of the 87 who undergo the drug test, 50 were assigned to the anti-illegal drug units of the seven police stations in his jurisdiction.
The remaining 37 others were randomly picked by members of the SPD Command Group headed by Senior Superintendent James Bucayu.
De Los Santos, who himself undergo the test, said the 87 comprised the initial batch of police personnel assigned at the SPD who undergo the test.
He added the decision was made to subject the members of the different anti-drug units to the initial test since they are the ones performing sensitive anti-illegal drugs operations.
“There should be no iota of doubt on persons assigned at our units for the general public to believe what the PNP organization is doing. And we are reviewing all the records of our personnel involved in the fight against illegal drugs and relieve them immediately if found to have dubious records and will be subjected to summary dismissal proceedings,” De Los Santos said after the drug test.
Earlier, the Makati police headed by Senior Superintendent Froilan Bonifacio conducted a similar test on its personnel.
NCRPO Director Nicanor Bartolome has ordered all policemen in the metropolis to be subjected to drug testing after a recent expose by a television network showing two Caloocan cops having a pot session.
The two police personnel -- PO1s Antonio Carmona and Elvin Tabora -- have been relieved from their post, disarmed, and placed on restrictive custody despite them testing negative for drug use.
In a similar test conducted on cops assigned at the Northern Police District (NPD), two more tested positive for drug use -- PO3 Hermil Lumba and PO2 Armando Jimenez.
Bartolome also ordered the relief of Senior Inspector Albert Ebdane, the Caloocan Police Community Precinct (PCP) 6 commander, and will be administratively charged for command responsibility.
SPO3 Henry Banez, the PCP 17 commander, was warned that he may face the same consequences if he fails to take appropriate actions.
Carmona, Jimenez, and Lumba are from PCP 6, while Tabora is from PCP 17.
“While they did not test positive for drugs, Carmona and Tabora will still be administratively,” Bartolome added.
Disgusted with the erring cops, Bartolome stressed that he will act on any reports of misconduct of policemen under his command.
“I will not tolerate any misdeeds of any of my personnel,” the NCRPO chief added. (AH/Sunnex)
