Surprise!: BOC officials, employees take drug test

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) has conducted a surprise drug testing of its officers and employees in a move to ensure that the agency is free from illegal drugs.

The surprise drug testing was carried out after Monday’s flag-raising by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) and the Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force (CAIDTF) in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

Chemists from PDEA collected urine samples from employees in the Office of the Commissioner, Port of Manila, and Manila International Container Port.

“Officials and employees who refuse to submit themselves for drug testing without valid reason shall be issued with show-cause order by the Commissioner or his authorized representative,” BOC said in a statement.

According to BOC, those who would test positive for drugs will undergo further confirmatory tests.

Deputy Commissioner Raniel Ramiro of the Intelligence Group said the surprise drug test was conducted in accordance with the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Regulation No. 13, series of 2018, which seeks to ensure that government offices are free from illegal drugs. /kga