105 PNP personnel confirmed positive for illegal drug use

A total of 105 Philippine National Police personnel have been confirmed positive for the use of illegal drugs since the Duterte administration started its campaign against illegal drugs, a police official said Wednesday.

Senior Supt. Fausto Manzanila Jr, executive officer of Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management, said from January to October 4, 2016, 1 p.m., a total of 150,160 PNP personnel from various police offices and stations nationwide underwent random drug testing.

“Of these, 161 were confirmed positive for the presence of dangerous drugs and 105 of those were recorded from July 1 to date,” he said in a press conference.

He said the PNP personnel confirmed positive for illegal drug use are now facing administrative charges.

“Also, the conduct of summary hearing procedure is already on the process in order to determine the extent of administrative liability which may lead to their dismissal from service,” he said.

Manzanila said the PNP personnel were first subjected to random drug test and those who were found positive underwent a confirmatory test conducted by the PNP Crime Laboratory.

He said while the investigation by the Internal Affairs Office is still ongoing, the police officers will be relieved from their post and will be assigned to holding units.

“While pending investigation, they will be relieved from their respective offices and will be assigned to holding administrative units.  They will await the decision while assigned at the said unit,” he said.

Manzanila said in the past there were instances when those confirmed positive for illegal drug use were dismissed but were able to return to their post.

“Before, prior to the implementation of the campaign against illegal drugs, merong mga nakakabalik sa serbisyo. And actually, this is one of our concern. After being dismissed, they will file a motion for consideration or appeal, napapabalik sila,” he said.

He believed it will not happen under the present administration.

“But with the focus on anti-illegal drugs campaign right now, we believe that hindi na mangyayari yan,” Manzanila  said.

Asked if the PNP has a program to rehabilitate its personnel using illegal drugs, Manzanilla said they have a program but they have to evaluate the personnel first.

“We have a program relative to that, but still we have to determine the extent of or the degree of affectation on the individual especially the PNP personnel.  If really needed they will be given  opportunity to be rehabilitated,” he said.

“But it does not excuse them from facing administrative charges,” Manzanila added. —KBK, GMA News