2 cops, 1 staff from NCRPO test positive for drugs; sacked

MANILA, Philippines — Three personnel of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) have tested positive for drugs and were consequently relieved from their posts and charged.

NCRPO chief Major Gen. Debold Sinas said Thursday the three personnel were among 260 policemen and staff that were subjected to a surprise drug test last Aug. 30.

Of the three, Sinas said two are police officers whom he identified as Patrolman Robert Lozano Buenavente and Patrolman Guillermo Laggui – both assigned at NCRPO’s Regional Headquarters Support Unit (RHSU). The third person, he added, is a contractual employee of NCRPO’s RHSU.

All three were found positive for methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu (crystal meth), according to the NCRPO chief.

“The NCRPO unceasingly cleanses its ranks of those who taint its image. We have successfully separated our colleagues who use illegal drugs from those who are dedicatedly performing their tasks. Rest assured that we will not stop in this quest,” he said.

NCRPO data shows that 20,231 police personnel underwent random drug testing from Oct. 12, 2019, to Sept. 1, 2020. Of the number, 17 NCRPO personnel, including the latest three, tested positive for illegal drug use.

Sinas said NCRPO in coordination with the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group will investigate the drug source of the three personnel.

KGA