195 PNP Personnel To Face Dismissal For Positive Use Of Shabu

Almost 200 out of 165,000 personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who underwent random drug testing since last year have tested positive for shabu use, the PNP Crime Laboratory said.

At a news conference, Superintendent Irene Rigonan, Operations Chief of the PNP Crime Laboratory, said 188 uniformed personnel and seven non-uniformed personnel tested positive for shabu use from January 2016 to date.

Rigonan said most of those who tested positive were from CALABARZON Region followed by Metro Manila. No one tested positive in the Cordillera Administrative Region.

“Ang pinaka-ranking po is Chief Inspector at lowest ay PO1,” she said.

According to Rigonan, the tests concentrated on shabu (methamphetamine) and marijuana use. 

“Wala pong nag-positive sa marijuana,” she said.

Rigonan said about 90 percent of the tests were administered during the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

For her part, Crime Lab Deputy for Administration Senior Superintendent Ligaya Sim said they annually submit at least 25 to 50 percent of the police force for random drug tests or during promotions or schooling.

Sim said they only upgraded their sample to 100 percent when President Duterte, who made illegal drug syndicates the main target of his anti-crime drive, assumed the presidency in June last year.

“Kasi prior sa ating crime against drugs regularly meron tayong mandatory drug test na yearly required kami at least 25 or 50 percent ng strength namin na-drug test. Pero ngayon 100 percent under the time of President Duterte,” Sim said.

“But aside from the 100 percent, meron pa tayo na regular na kada promotion, before promotion, and schooling may drug test,” she added.

The results of the drug tests are now submitted to the PNP Internal Affairs Service and the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management where the policemen could face summary dismissal proceedings.

Source: Newswatch