BACOLOD CITY -- Police Col. Noel Aliño, Bacolod City police director, has warned city government workers who test positive for illegal drug use to surrender or face arrest.
“Huhulihin ko kayo and I mean it. Huwag niyo ako idare (I will arrest you and I mean it. Don’t dare me)," Aliño said as he urged them to surface and voluntarily avail of the government’s rehabilitation program.
The city government conducted random drug testing on 705 government employees, mostly job order casual workers, from July 28 to August 1.
Of the figure, 53 employees, including four regular employees, tested positive for illegal drug use.
Thirty-two were personnel from the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) and 21 workers from the Public Order and Safety Office (POSO).
Aliño said that only 33 out of 53 government employees recently voluntarily surrendered to the police.
Of the 33, 16 were BTAO personnel while 17 were POSO workers, according to Aliño.
“Matigas ulo niyo. Binigyan ko kayo ng chance to surrender (You are being stubborn. I’ve given you a chance to surrender)," Aliño said.
Aliño said that these workers will be subjected to surveillance and will be included in the drugs watchlist.
“If evidence warrants, we will file a case,” he added.
He said that they will be evaluated to determine the extent of their illegal drugs use.
He stressed that it’s time to end this problem.