300 AFP personnel undergo surprise drug testing

MANILA, Philippines — Some 300 military personnel were subjected to a surprise mandatory drug test in the gymnasium at the General Headquarters of Camp Aguinaldo Monday after the flag-raising ceremony, a military spokesman said.

Colonel Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. said the drug test was conducted as a matter of “setting the moral ascendancy among AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) units,” in line with the Anti-Drug Task Force Moses (TF Moses).

TF Moses, a directive in July 2011, is the primary arm of the military in identifying and prosecuting military and civilian personnel found to be engaged in the use of illegal drugs and drug-related activities.

In January, a drug testing was conducted by the Intelligence Service of the AFP to 387 of its personnel. The military’s three branches of service also conducted its own tests following last year’s directive.

Burgos said two personnel were already discharged from service after they were found to be under the influence of illegal substance.