Unannounced drug test for cops mulled

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BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO
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Tuesday. September 12, 2017
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ILOILO City – To keep the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) free from drug-addled officers, its new director plans to subject his men to unannounced drug testing.

“Internal cleansing” is one of his thrusts, according to Senior Superintendent Henry Biñas. He assumed office just last week.

His other thrusts are the campaign against illegal drugs and illegal gambling, and lessening crimes.

“I am planning to conduct surprise drug testing to my personnel. We want to show the public that the ICPO is indeed drug-free,” said Biñas.

Just this July 27, 122 uniformed personnel of the ICPO were subjected to a surprise drug test. They were initially told to attend a conference at the city police office.

The test was conducted by the Police Regional Office 6’s crime laboratory.  The cops were made to submit urine samples.

All of the police officers – from the City Drug Enforcement Unit, Intelligence Section and the Public Safety Battalion – were tested negative for illegal drugs.

Last year, two ICPO personnel tested positive for illegal drug use in an unannounced drug testing. One was a member of the Public Safety Company while the other was assigned at the city police headquarters.

According to ICPO spokesperson Senior Inspector Shella Mae Sangrines, the July 27, 2017 “surprise” drug test was the first this year under the leadership of then ICPO director Senior Superintendent Remus Zacharias Canieso.

Last week, Biñas replaced Canieso who was moved to the Police Regional Office 6 as chief of the directorial staff.

“We want to establish our moral ascendancy over the public. How can we run after those who are into illegal drugs when we can’t even clean our ranks?” said Sangrines./PN
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