Cops who fail drug test face ax


Police Gen. Debold Sinas, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), vowed to dismiss from the service any policemen who would test positive in random drug tests as the PNP continues to conduct surprise tests on all its uniformed and civilian personnel.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Debold Sinas held his first command visit to Police Regional Office (PRO-7) Central Visayas were at least 2,000 loose and seized firearms from police operations and New Peoples Army (NPA) surrenderees were presented in Camp Sergio Osmena Cebu City on Saturday. Sinas was once the Regional Director of PRO-7 for One year and four months. (Photo by Juan Carlo de Vela / MANILA BULLETIN)
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Debold Sinas (Photo by Juan Carlo de Vela / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

Sinas made the warning as more PNP personnel tested positive in random drug tests, the most recent of whom was John Rey Ibasco assigned to the Regional Logistics and Research Development Division 13 (RLRRDD-13).

Ibasco was among the 332 policemen assigned in Caraga who were subjected to random drug testing. He was the only one who tested positive and his urine sample also yielded positive results in the confirmatory test.

Sinas said he has already ordered the pre-charge investigation and initiated summary dismissal proceedings against the drug-using cop.

Ibasco has been disarmed and placed under restrictive custody. He is set to be dismissed within two months, a time period caused by Sinas.

More or less 500 policemen have been dismissed from the police service since 2016 for testing positive in drug tests.