8 Cebu City policemen flunk surprise drug test

Eight Cebu City policemen initially tested positive for drug use following   a surprise drug test of 30 law enforcers from different police stations and special units yesterday.

The results will be sent to Manila for confirmatory tests.

If they still come up positive, the policemen will face administrative investigation, said Senior Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe, Cebu City police director.

Buenafe was among the  police officials whose urine samples were tested along with Supt. Rey Tiempo, chief of the Operations Branch; Chief Insp. Renero Agustin, chief of the City Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Force; and Senior Insp. Michael Angelo Beltran, chief of Talamban police station.

Of the 30 who  were asked to report to the Cebu City  police headquarters, three failed to come.

One officer said he has an official function to attend while the other  two gave no reason for their absence.

Buenafe said conducting surprise drug tests is sanctioned by the PNP Head Office as its way of cleansing its ranks.

In the Cebu Provincial Police Office, Senior Supt. Patrocinio Comendador  Jr. said none of 98 patrol cop drivers and six policemen in his office tested positive for drug use during examination  last April 19./With Reporter Rhea Ruth Rosell