130 out of 99,598 cops test positive for shabu use

A total of 130 out of 99,598 Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel tested positive for drug use, particularly shabu (metamphetamine hydrochloride), the PNP’s Crime Laboratory announced on Monday.

Based on the latest records from the Crime Laboratory, 130 PNP members were found to have been using shabu after undergoing confirmatory tests in their local units.

Crime Laboratory director Chief Supt. Emmanuel Aranas said in a press briefing at Camp Crame that police units in all regions nationwide have at least one member who uses illegal drugs.

The highest rank among the drug-using cops was Chief Inspector, some were also female PNP personnel.

“After ma-confirm, the policy requires us that we report it to the PNP chief and only the PNP chief can make a decision on how to announce this in public. We can only disclose the numbers. Si PNP chief na mag-uutos anong gagawin sa mga nagpositive (PNP chief will order what to do with those who tested positive),” Aranas said.

READ: Bato to order dismissal of cops tested positive for drugs

Crime Laboratory results also showed that Police Officer 3 Michael Lee Manalad, a member of the Malolos City police station who was tortured and killed while in his police uniform in Meycauayan, Bulacan, was positive for drugs.

READ: Vigilantes kill Bulacan policeman

As for the 43 cops on the drug list of President Rodrigo Duterte who surrendered to the police, Aranas said he has not received a report yet on the results of their drug tests.
Once the PNP completes the random drug testing on all its 160,000 personnel, Aranas said the PNP will conduct another round of tests.

“Halimbawa kumpleto 100 percent na, hindi ito matatapos. We don’t believe na kapag negative ngayon, negative na talaga (For example, if it’s 100% complete, it’s not yet the end. We don’t believe that if they tested negative today, it’s indeed negative),” he said./rga