PNP stands by its findings of positive drug test result of ex-Mandaluyong police chief
The Forensics Group of the Philippine National Police (PNP-FG) will not recognize the new urine samples submitted by a police official who tested positive in a drug test conducted last month.
The new urine sample showed negative results for former Mandaluyong City police chief Col. Cesar Gerente but PNP-FG Brig. Gen. Constancio Binayog said they will stand with the result of the first urine sample during the surprise drug test on Aug. 24.
The test tested positive for methamphetamine hydrochloride and the confirmatory test conducted by the PNP-FG also showed the same result.
“We follow the process of the drug test which is first the screening and then we confirm it. So we will stick to that process,” said Binayog.
Gerente was reported to have shown drug test results showing that he tested negative. The tests were conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and a Department of Health-accredited testing center on Aug. 29, and by the National Bureau of Investigation on September 6.
But Binayog said the urine sample that was taken from Gerente on Aug. 24 is what matters, adding that the new test conducted should be based on that Aug. 24 urine sample and not the new one.
“What we honor for purposes of investigation and challenging the tests we conducted is for third-party entities to conduct the drug test using the same urine sample where he tested positive,” said Binayog.
“He can present whatever he has, but for the Forensic Group, we stick to our findings,” Chinayog noted.
Gerente was among the 25 policemen who tested positive in surprise and mandatory drug tests conducted for policemen since January this year.
He vowed to clear his name as he explained that the positive results may have been caused either by his exposure to illegal drugs or the maintenance drugs he has been taking.
But Binayog said they will stand by their findings as he insisted that Gerente has a lot of explaining to do as to how he was exposed to illegal drugs.
“The result is already there so he will just have to undergo the process. He should face the charges against him and he will be given his day in court,” said Binayog.
“So he should present whatever he has but for the Forensics Group, we stick to our findings,” he added.