Police cadet, 2 PNP personnel test positive for drug use

A graduating police cadet and two Philippine National Police personnel have tested positive for drug use, the Philippine National Police said Tuesday.

PNP chief Police General Debold Sinas directed an immediate pre-charge investigation and summary dismissal proceedings against Cadet 1st Class John David Macagba from the PNP Academy and Patrolman Christian Laganzon of Ligao City Police Station and non-uniformed personnel Giovanni Adulta of Tabaco City Police Station.

Sinas ordered drug testing for the entire graduating class of 2021 after a "mauling" incident at the PNPA.

Sinas said 260 out of the 262 graduating cadets were subjected to drug testing and only Macagba failed the test after his urine specimen showed traces of shabu.

Meanwhile, Bicol police chief Police Brigadier General Bartolome Bustamante noted that as of December 30, 2020, a total of 8,067 Bicol police personnel had undergone drug testing and that Laganzon and Adulta were the ones who tested positive for drug use.

Bustamante said Laganzon and Adulta have been transferred to the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Service since January 4 to ensure their availability to face further probe.

Laganzon has since been stripped of his police badge and firearm, the PNP said.

Police data showed that since July 2016, a total of 438 PNP personnel have tested positive for drug use, 382 of whom have been dismissed and terminated from the service while 39 cases are still pending resolution. — BM, GMA News