Students in protest as PUP conducts random drug testing

Authorities on Thursday started conducting random drug testing at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Manila, much to the surprise and apprehension of students who opposed the move and claimed they were not informed about it.

A report by Marisol Abdurahman on 24 Oras said members of the Philippines National Police were seen guarding areas where the testing was being done. According to the report, 800 were randomly selected from the main campus' 35,000 students.

"Walang assurance na hindi makakalabas ang impormasyon ganun... hindi rin naman kasi fully nabigay sa min ang info kung ano ang meron, sino ang gagawa, panu pilian ng estudyante," said one student.

"Hindi naman dinisclose kung anong purpose ng drug testing na yun. ayun po ginawa syang mandatory which is [hindi dapat]," another one said.

PUP President Emmanuel de Guzman, however, said the drug testing was merely in compliance with an order from the Commission on Higher Education and that the student population and their parents were informed about it.

"Hindi ito yung bigla na lamang kaming nag drug testing na kinuha namin sa mga classroom at dinala dito," he said.

De Guzman denied that the drug testing was being done following reports that militant groups have been trying to recruit students to join their movement.

He also said faculty members, apart from students, will also be subjected under the same testing.

De Guzman clarified that while a student who tests positive for drugs stands to be suspended, he or she will not be expelled. — MDM, GMA News