CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – At least 15 Northern Mindanao policemen were dismissed from the service due to illegal drug use.
Chief Supt. Lyndel Desquitado, Northern Mindanao police chief, revealed last Tuesday that the policemen were among 36 law enforcers, including a commissioned officer, who tested positive for illegal drugs during the random drug tests conducted among police offices and units in the region in June.
Desquitado did not identify the dismissed police officers but added that they ceased to be members of the Philippine National Police effective September 8.
“They make up the first batch of police officers dismissed because they tested positive for illegal drugs,” he said.
Desquitado said that in the case of the commissioned officer, his case was referred to Camp Crame for decision.
“Only PNP Director General Ricardo Marquez can render judgment on commissioned officers,” he said.
Desquitado, meanwhile, said the dismissal orders for the other police officers found guilty of illegal drug use were also being prepared.
He added that more random drug tests would be carried out in the coming days as the police wanted to clean its ranks of scalawag law enforcers.
In Davao del Sur, a police officer assigned at the Digos City Police Office (DCPO) was also found positive of drug use, the provincial police director, Senior Supt. Dario Gunabe, said.
Gunabe would not identify the police officer, except that he has a rank of Police Officer 3.
“We have to intensify our campaign against illegal drugs. Checking on the integrity of our men in uniform was part of this,” Gunabe said.
He said the police officer, who is now under the custody of the provincial personnel holding and accounting unit, has been ordered to undergo another test for confirmation of the earlier finding.
“The PNP is very is strict in terms of violation of RA 9165 otherwise known as the comprehensive anti-illegal drugs act of 2002,” Gunabe said.
Late last year, two Davao del Sur police officers assigned with the provincial anti-illegal drugs special operation task force (Paidsotf) were also found positive of drug use after the random testing ordered by then provincial director, Senior Supt. Michael John Dubria.
The two policemen were made to undergo rehabilitation and were temporarily deactivated from service. Cases of misconduct were also filed against them. Orlando Dinoy and Eldie Aguirre, Inquirer Mindanao/CDG