Labangon officials undergo drug test

CEBU - The 11 barangay officials of Labangon were subjected to a surprise drug test yesterday but none of them was found positive of illegal drug use.

Labangon barangay captain Felix Abella has requested for a drug test on him, his seven councilors, the barangay treasurer and secretary, and the Sangguniang Kabataan chairman.

Felix Jose Lazarte, chairman of the Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (COSAP), said the results of the drug test of the urine samples submitted by the 11 barangay officials showed negative of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.

But Abella still wants to have more surprise drug testings to be conducted on the officials and employees of his barangay to verify reports that some of them are hooked in illegal drugs.

“Pabilin gyud nang atong pagduda kay wala man tay pruweba, kay ang giingon gud nila basta upat ka adlaw nga dili ka-take og drugs, ma-negatibo diay,” Abella said.

It was reported that one of the tanods of Labangon was kicked out from service after he found positive of shabu sometime last year.

COSAP, in coordination with the personnel of the PNP Crime Laboratory Service, had already conducted surprise drug tests to personnel of at least four barangays in the city this month. These barangays are Cogon-Ramos, T. Padilla, Lorega San Miguel and Labangon.

One personnel each in the barangays of Cogon-Ramos and T. Padilla and six Lorega-San Miguel were found positive of illegal drugs.

Lazarte said they are still waiting for the results of the confirmatory tests of those who were found positive. — Rene U. Borromeo/WAB   (THE FREEMAN)