CAMP RAFAEL C. RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City – Three policemen tested positive for illegal drugs during surprise drug tests conducted by the Police Regional Office (PRO)-13 (Caraga) among 4,871 police commissioned and non-commissioned officers from Jan. 1 to June 21, 2023.
These three policemen yielded positive results in the screening and confirmatory tests, PRO-13 said.
Appropriate disciplinary actions had been undertaken against them through the police summary hearing proceedings.
The 13th Regional Forensic Unit (RFU) said 566 policemen were tested in Agusan del Norte, 874 in Agusan del Sur, 530 in Surigao del Norte, 363 in Surigao del Sur, 245 in Dinagat Islands, and 2,293 from the regional headquarters and regional support units.
Drug test has two testing methods, screening test which will determine the positive result as well as the type of drug used and the confirmatory test which will confirm a positive screening test.
Based on Philippine National Police Memorandum Circular 2021-019, any uniformed personnel found positive for drugs after confirmatory test shall be charged administratively for Conduct of Unbecoming of a Police Officer pursuant to National Police Commission Memorandum Circular No. 2016-002 without prejudice to the filing of appropriate criminal charges under Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Law of 2002.
PRO-13 Director Police Brig. Gen. Pablo G. Labra II ordered the conduct of random drug tests to police units in the region and mandatory drug tests to all personnel who would undergo compulsory training.
Some unit commanders had requested the RFU-13 for the conduct of surprise drug tests on their personnel.
“We vow to implement the PNP Disciplinary Machinery to make sure that our personnel have the integrity in enforcing the law,” Labra said. “The PRO 13 leadership ensured that those who tested positive for illegal drug use shall be dismissed from the service.”