ILOILO – A policeman from Dumangas municipal police station tested positive for methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) in a recent random drug test.
He had the rank of Police Staff Sergeant.
According to Police Colonel Gilbert Gorero, director of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), the policeman underwent testing on Feb. 18. The result was released on March 2.
The police officer was previously assigned at the Mandurriao police station in Iloilo City. In April 2020, he was downloaded to the IPPO.
“This policeman was immediately relieved from the Dumangas police station and transferred to sthe Police Regional Office 6’s Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit. He will be charged administratively,” Gorero said.
But he was given 15 days to contest the test result, stressed Gorero.
Last year, a Police Corporal in Candoni, Negros Occidental snubbed a confirmatory test ordered by PRO-6 chief Police Brigadier General Rolando Miranda. He was marked AWOL or absent without official leave. He was later found using on Dec. 5, 2020.
Another policeman with the rank of Master Sergeant was also tested positive for drug use on Jan. 28 this year.
PRO-6 spokesperson Police Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong said the drug tests were administered by the Regional Crime Laboratory and supervised by the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division.
As of this month, a total of 7,364 policemen already underwent drug testing.
“We expect to cover all of the region’s policemen in the next few months,” Malong said./PN
