467 BJMP officials, personnel get surprise drug tests; no positive drug results

MANILA, Philippines — None of the 467 Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) officials and personnel inside the National Headquarters tested positive for drug use during a surprise test on Monday, the bureau said in a statement.

According to the BJMP, the surprise drug testing is in line with the campaign of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. to rid law enforcement agencies of officials involved in the drug trade.

BJMP said it was the chief, Jail Dir. Allan Iral, who ordered the testing right after the flag-raising ceremony earlier.

“The surprise drug test is part of our support to the call of SILG Abalos to cleanse our rank from any involvement in illegal drugs and to exemplify professionalism and discipline among our personnel,” Iral said.

“Let this be a validation of our firm stance and commitment to eradicate not only corruption but also illegal drugs in our facilities,” he added.

Despite the results showing that none of the BJMP personnel present at the National Headquarters tested positive, Iral warned that they would not hesitate to file criminal and administrative complaints against those who will be discovered involved in the drug trade.

“We are not putting limits on what we can accomplish, especially in the fight against drugs. We will not tolerate any proven wrongdoing even if it means dismissing from service our own officers,” Iral said.

It could be remembered that last Wednesday, Abalos made a surprise announcement, calling for the courtesy resignation of police colonels and generals amid fears that drug syndicates have made their way into the Philippine National Police (PNP) leadership.

Abalos said that a five-person committee would be tasked to review the profiles of the officials who would resign.  If the official is found to be part of the illegal drug trade, the courtesy resignation would be accepted; and if the official is not involved in the illegal activity, the resignation papers would be rescinded.

The officials who submitted courtesy resignations will be allowed to continue performing their duties pending the review.

READ: Abalos seeks courtesy resignation of all PNP colonels, generals amid possible drug links

Several officials have already tendered their resignations, including PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. and his command group.

READ: PNP chief Azurin not spared from courtesy resignation — Abalos 

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