PNP: 24 cops test positive for illegal drugs use since January 2023
A total of 24 policemen, including an officer with a rank of colonel, have tested positive for illegal drugs use since the surprise and mandatory drug test was conducted for all uniformed personnel of the police organization since January this year.
Police Brig. Gen. Constancio Chinayog, director of PNP Forensic Group, said almost 116,000 personnel have already been subjected to drug test and 24 of them yielded positive result based on initial and confirmatory tests.
Last week, the conduct of mandatory drug test for policemen resulted in the chief of police of Mandaluyong City, Col. Cesar Gerente, testing positive. He was already sacked from his post and is expected to be slapped with administrative charges.
“He was the latest (to test positive) and we are still waiting for the reports of other regions,” said Chinayog.
The mandatory drug test for cops has resulted in a number of policemen being kicked out of the police service.
Police Maj. Gen. Robert Rodriguez, director of the PNP Directorate for Personnel and Records Management (DPRM), said involvement of policemen in illegal drugs activity, including the use of illegal drugs, is considered as a grave misconduct that is punishable by dismissal from the service.
“The conduct of drug test is a continuing requirement for PNP personnel. Once it is proven that you are using drugs, the penalty is dismissal. IT’s a grave misconduct,” said Rodriguez.