By BOY RYAN B. ZABAL
KALIBO, Aklan — Operatives of the Provincial Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operations Task Group (PAIDSOTG) had undergone a random drug test recently.
Senior Supt. Samuel Nacion, director of the Aklan Police Provincial Office, ordered the surprise drug test.
Thirty-eight PAIDSOTG personnel had undergone the drug test, which was administered with the assistance of the Scene of Crime Operations (SOCO) in Camp Pastor Martelino, Brgy. New Buswang here.
Urine samples were taken from the policemen to be used for testing.
“The results of the random drug testing by the PNP (Philippine National Police) crime laboratory will be released within 24 hours,” said Senior Insp. Alvin Pascual, chemist of SOCO–Aklan.
“If tested positive for illegal drugs, the urine samples will be subject to a confirmatory test,” Pascual said.
The concerned policemen could also challenge the findings by requesting an accredited laboratory to conduct a separate test.
Under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, all officers and members of law enforcement agencies and the military are required to undergo a yearly mandatory drug test.
It is also prescribed in the Letter of Instruction Kontra Droga Charlie, issued two years ago by the PNP, that the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s campaign against illegal drugs must be strengthened. (Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
