387 military personnel undergo random drug tests; all test negative

MANILA, Philippines—Hundreds of officers and employees of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ intelligence service have been subjected to random drug tests, a military spokesman said.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, Colonel Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. said that drug tests were conducted Tuesday on 387 officers, enlisted men and civilian employees, who all tested “negative.”

Burgos added that the drug tests were in compliance with the AFP’s directive dated July 17, 2011, forming the anti-drug Task Force Moses, which has been tasked to specifically eliminate drug use and other related crimes.

An AFP employee who tests positive for drug use would be subject to investigation by the Provost Marshal and could be dismissed from the service if found guilty, Burgos said.

He added, however, that there are also provisions for rehabilitation.

He also said that all military personnel must undergo mandatory drug test before they can be promoted and before they can leave the country to study abroad.—Frances Mangosing