The Philippine Army will be subjecting to further confirmatory tests 13 soldiers who failed a urine drug test conducted on Tuesday.
The Army’s morning Taebo exercise on Tuesday provided the opportunity for the surprise drug test conducted on 2,500 personnel, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
In a phone interview on Wednesday, Army spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao said the 13 personnel failed the initial screening will now undergo blood and urine tests in a Health department-accredited facility.
“If the confirmatory test is positive, it is enough evidence for us to discharge our personnel,” Hao said, in a statement. “But we emphasized that due process is given to all our personnel based on existing laws and regulations about illegal drugs.”
The 13 personnel will remain in the custody of the Philippine Army while waiting for the confirmatory test result.