2 policemen fail drug test

At least two policemen from the Cebu City Police Office were reportedly found positive of using drugs after a surprise drug test conducted by the PNP Crime Laboratory yesterday in Camp Sotero Cabahug.

The drug test was implemented by city police director Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador.

Yesterday morning, Comendador ordered all members of miscellaneous teams from the eleven police stations and members of the special units to report for a conference regarding their intelligence capabilities and to improve the anti-criminality campaign.

But after the conference, a surprise drug test was announced and more than 90 policemen were said to have taken the test.

Comendador had requested Councilor Agustus Pe who in turn instructed Felix Lazarte, head of the City Office on Substance Abuse Prevention, to conduct the test. Not even the PNP Crime Laboratory, which assisted in the testing, was informed in advance about the operation.

Comendador said he wants his command to be as clean as possible when it comes to drug problems, especially units assigned to field operations against illegal drugs.

Yesterday, a reliable source told The Freeman that at least two of the policemen who took the test were found positive in the initial screening. But a confirmatory test is needed to be absolutely sure of the findings.

Comendador said policemen found positive of drug use will face administrative investigation.

“Kanang rehabilitation wala na kana karon gi-adopt, ang approach karon is dismissed first after formal investigation,” he warned.

Last year, at least two policemen were also said to have been found positive of using illegal drugs during a surprise test. Their cases are still pending at the Police Regional Office-7.  — Edwin Ian Melecio/BRP