PRO 1 anti-narc agents undergo surprise drug test
CAMP BGEN OSCAR M FLORENDO, La Union – Owing to the “growing call” to rid the Philippine National Police (PNP) officers of alleged involvement in the illicit drugs trade, the anti-drug operatives of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 1 underwent a surprise drug testing, Friday, January 13, 2023.
But some concerned residents said the drug test should also be held for all policemen suspected of being involved in illegal drugs.
According to Capt. Carol Elizabeth Baloco, public information officer, based on the available records, the Regional Forensic Unit has collected urine specimens for drug tests from three police commissioned officers and 28 police non-commissioned officers of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) during the supposed conference on anti-illegal drug operations.
For his part, PRO 1 Regional Director Police Brigadier Gen. John C. Chua has emphasized the “strict” implementation of internal cleansing in the PNP and confirmed the conduct of a series of drug tests for all personnel.
“This is a continuous reinforcement of the PNP’s desire to cleanse the organization from misfits who are involved in illegal drug activities,” he pointed out.
As of this writing, no reports yet of the outcome of the drug test conducted and what sanctions would be imposed on those found using illegal drugs.
The conducting of sudden drug tests came in the wake of reports that there are top police officials who are in cahoots and protecting drug syndicates in exchange for huge amounts of protection money.
In a related development, at least 43 officers from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) were ordered for an “initial screening procedure” in the drive to purge the PNP of members who are in league with drug traffickers begins.
Almost 1,000 police generals and colonels were asked to tender their resignation and submitted themselves for an investigation to clear their names.
