Lapses in the observance of due process in the Philippine National Police (PNP) have resulted in erring policemen still enjoying the salary and benefits of being cop during that time that they are supposed to be already dismissed from the survice.
In order to expedite the process, particularly in the cases of those involved in the illegal drugs, PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas has ordered all regional directors to dismiss within 60 days all policemen who would test positive on the random drug test.
“Starting this year, I have already signed a directive that all cases related to random drug testing should be resolved by the Regional Director immediately. When I was still at the NCRPO (National Capital Region Police Office), we were able to resolve these cases within 2 months so they should do the same,” said Sinas.
Citing experience when he was still the Metro Manila police chief, Sinas said there was an instance when he himself was surprised when some of those who tested positive still reported for duty.
He added that there was also one instance when a Metro Manila policeman who tested positive during drug test was still receiving his salary and allowances a year after he was found using shabu.
He said he is now accounting for all those who tested positive starting when he was still the regional director of Central Visayas.
In January this year alone, Sinas revealed that a total of 18 policemen tested positive during the conduct of random drug test.
“These 18 cases will be a test case for our Regional Directors. By March, I am expecting that these policemen are already dismissed from the service,” said Sinas.
The official said that he had already tasked the Directorate for Police Records and Management to regularly monitor the progress of the cases involving policemen who would test positive in random drug testing.
Those who would fail to comply with the two-month rule, according to Sinas, will face administrative cases.
“We do not want delays. We still observe due process but we have to resolve within two months,” said Sinas.
More than 500 policemen were already dismissed from the service for testing positive in drug test since 2016, PNP records revealed.