PANGASINAN ----- A simultaneous drug test was conducted on police personnel by the Regional Crime Laboratory Office 1 (RCLO1) at the Police Regional Office 1 (PRO-1) regional headquarters here as part of the Philippine National Police's (PNP) intensified anti-illegal drugs campaign.
“The overall objective of this effort is to ensure that our law enforcers are not using illegal drugs," Brig. Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr, Police Regional Office1 director said.
Azurin noted that those who will be found positive of using prohibited or regulated drugs shall be separated or dismissed from the service after due process.
“If evidence warrants, appropriate criminal charges may also be filed against them,” he added.
From November 30 to December 6, 2020, a total of 661 personnel from the Regional Headquarters, Pangasinan Police Provincial Office, Regional Drug Enforcement Unit and National Support Units have undergone random drug tests. They all tested negative.
Of the 661 personnel, 104 were Police Commissioned Officers, 496 were Police Non Commissioned Officers, and 61 were Non-Uniformed Personnel of PRO-1. Random drug tests will be continuously conducted in all PNP units in Region 1.
The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Memorandum Circular No. 99-008 requiring the administration of drug tests on all PNP uniformed personnel and Imposing penalties prescribes that drug tests shall be conducted regularly every year and randomly among PNP uniformed personnel without notice.
This is also in compliance with the directive of Chief PNP General Debold M Sinas on the optimized utilization of PNP resources and in weeding out rogues in the uniformed service.
Azurin was the first to undergo drug testing during the PNP Command Conference at the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) last November 28, 2020.