13 soldiers in Army headquarters tested positive for drugs

Thirteen Army soldiers form the Philippine Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio tested positive for drug use.

Army spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao said on Wednesday that a mandatory drug test was conducted on July 5 in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

“Everybody was required to undergo the drug test led by our Army commanding general,” Hao said.

He said that out of 2,500 personnel from different offices and units, 13 failed the initial screening test.

They were immediately required to undergo further tests in a drug-testing establishment of the Department of Health.

The soldiers are under the custody of the Philippine Army while waiting for the test results.

If further tests confirm the use of drugs, the soldiers will be discharged from service, he said.

Hao stressed that due process will be given to all their personnel based on existing laws and regulations on drugs.

He cited that since 2013, there have been 204 soldiers dismissed from service because of cases related to illegal drugs.

Curbing illegal drugs and fighting criminality are some major campaign promises of President Rodrigo Duterte during the 2016 elections. TVJ