Roxas eyes mandatory drug test even for non-drug offenders

Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—In a bid to strengthen the fight against illegal drugs, Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II said Monday he is considering a mandatory drug test for every arrested suspect, including those whose crimes are not related to illegal drugs.

Roxas issued the statement following the arrest of six suspected illegal drug traders, and the confiscation of P2.16-billion worth of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” in a raid at Sta. Monica Subdivision, Barangay (village) Sto. Tomas, Subic, Zambales on Sunday.

“Kung ang isang tao ay naaresto based sa arrest warrant or in flagrante dahil may nakita na ginagawa syang labag sa batas, then [imumungkahi] . . . [ang] pagma-mandatory drug test (if a person is arrested based on an arrest warrant, or if he is caught in the act doing something illegal, we will suggest that a mandatory drug test be conducted on that person),” Roxas said, noting that many crimes can be related to illegal drugs.

He said that based on the current ruling, the mandatory drug test only covers those arrested for drug-related offenses.

This move will help in the government’s fight against the proliferation of illegal drugs, Roxas said.

“Halimbawa arrested ka for murder, hindi mandatory [ang drug test] (if you are arrested for murder, you are not required to undergo drug test),” he said.