10 out of 2,000 coastguardsmen tested positive for drugs

TEN out of the more than 2,000 Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel who were subjected to a surprise drug test recently have been found positive for drug use.

“I have yet to check to if there was an officer among the 10, but majority of them are enlisted personnel,” said PCG spokesperson Commander Armand Balilo, adding that the personnel are assigned at the PCG headquarters in Manila and Cavite area.

He said a confirmatory test will still be conducted to verify the presence of drugs in fluid samples from the 10 PCG personnel.

“If they again tested positive for drugs during confirmatory test, they will undergo summary dismissal proceedings. But we will observe due process,” said Balilo.

The surprise drug test was conducted at the PCG Headquarters and at Sangley Point in Cavite last July 4.

Unannounced drug tests will also be held soon in PCG regional offices, Balilo said.

“We’re also trying to find out if (their drug use) is work-related, if they’re on board the ship, if they’re conducting patrol operations,” he said.

“I still have no information if the 10 personnel were tested positive for shabu or marijuana; I have yet to confirm [this],” he added.

In 2014, 35 PCG personnel also yielded positive results for drug test.

“Many of the 35 personnel had family problems or they have friends hooked on drugs,” Balilo said.

The 35 PCG personnel are still undergoing summary proceedings under the disciplinary board.