Lawyer employed in PNP to run after erring cops tests positive in random drug test


A lawyer who was employed as the head of a legal division of the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) in Central Luzon was ordered kicked out of the police organization after he tested positive during a random drug test last month.

PNP Chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

IAS is under the Philippine National Police and was tasked to run after erring policemen. PNP chief Gen. Debold M. Sinas said his order to dismiss lawyer Efren Garcia II is a proof that both the uniformed personnel and civilian employees are covered by the internal cleansing in the police organization.

Garcia is the chief of the Legal Affairs Division of the Regional Internal Affairs Service 3.

"Let me reiterate that there is no place in the PNP for any personnel who is into illegal drugs, whether for recreational or habitual use," said Sinas.

On February 24, personnel of the IAS-Police Regional Office 3 were subjected to surprise drug testing as part of the internal cleansing in the PNP. When the results came in, Sinas said the urine sample of Garcia tested positive for the presence of methampetamine.

The same was result during the confirmatory test, according to Sinas.

He said he had already ordered Garcia to undergo pre-charge investigation and summary dismissal proceedings for grave misconduct, an administrative case with a maximum penalty of dismissal from the service.