Cop found positive for drugs faces admin raps

CEBU, Philippines - A town policeman was charged for grave misconduct after being found positive of illegal drugs during a random drug test in Asturias town early this month.

Of the 21 police officers who had undergone drug testing, PO1 Ismael Modapil, assigned at the Asturias Police Station, was found positive of drugs during the screening and confirmatory test subsequently conducted at the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory 7 in Camp Sotero Cabahug.

During the pre-charge evaluation conducted, it was established that there was probable cause to warrant the investigation against Modapil.

Atty. Julius Ompad, officer-in-charge of the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch of the Cebu Provincial Police Office, said they will be elevating the case to the Police Regional Office -7 for summary disciplinary proceedings because imposing penalty of such offense is already beyond the administrative and disciplinary jurisdiction of the CPPO.

“This is to determine his liability of the offense,” Ompad said.

Ompad added that Modapil’s action constitutes a crime and is punishable by law.

Modapil also violated Napolcom Memorandum Circular 2007-001 which refers to policemen committing “any act or omission that constitutes a crime punishable under the Revised Penal Code or Special Laws.”

It was reportedly a confidential report on police personnel being hooked on illegal drugs, that prompted Asturias Mayor Alan Adlawan to request the PNP Crime Laboratory-7 to conduct a random drug test.

On September 5, Jude Mendoza, chemist of the crime laboratory conducted the drug test assisted by a team of the Provincial Anti-Illegal Drug Special Task Group headed by Superintendent Teofilo Siclot.

While the investigation is ongoing, Modapil will be relieved at the provincial headquarters effective Monday.

He will be temporarily assigned to the Provincial Public Safety Company.

Meanwhile, the policewoman who was relieved at the Women’s and Children’s Protection Desk of the same headquarters already reported for duty just recently.

The police woman who was formerly assigned at the Tuburan Police Station, was also found positive of drugs during the random drug test last month.

She is now under investigation at the PRO-7 after Ompad sent the results of his pre-charge evaluation. (FREEMAN)