Nine cops dismissed over links to drug use

CEBU, Philippines - Nine policemen were dismissed from the service last year after being found using illegal drugs and four others are pending summary hearing while another four are subjected to pre-charged evaluation as confirmed by the Regional Investigation Detective and Management Division.

This is line with the continuous campaign of the Police Regional Office-7 in eradicating policemen who are using illegal drugs.

Based on the statistics of the RIDMD, four dismissed cops were from Negros Oriental Police Office, three from Cebu Provincial Police Office and one each from the Cebu City Police Office and Bohol Provincial Police Office.

Superintendent Henry Biñas, deputy chief of the RIDMD, added that two of those policemen under trial are from NOPPO, and one each from CCPO and BPPO.

“As of now I could not give what offices those who are pre-charged belong kay we are still collating evidence,” Biñas said, adding that if these policemen will be proven guilty then they will be facing grave misconduct with the maximum penalty of dismissal from the service.

Biñas further said if a police officer is convicted of R.A. 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, he could no longer work in any government office as there will be an absolute perpetual disqualification involving public office.

Policemen who are convicted of R.A. 9265 or dismissed from the service because of illegal drugs showed that PRO-7 is intensifying its actions to personnel who are drug users, officials said.

“The policemen often conduct drug raids… so then it is a must that these policemen are also clean,” said Biñas.

To find out if policemen are involved in drugs, random drug tests were conducted while intelligence units are also monitoring drug-related concerns involving policemen.

Last month, PRO-7 found probable cause to dismiss Police Officer 1 Jose Emmanuel Deluvio and Police Officer 1 Caesar Montaez, both assigned at the Cebu Provincial Police Office, after found guilty of grave misconduct based on a chemistry report that confirmed their urine samples were positive of drugs.

The surprise drug test was conducted July last year at the CPPO.

They were dismissed because they have lost the mandatory qualification as provided for in the Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998.

One of the general qualifications for appointment into police service is that a person or a member of the PNP must have passed the psychiatric or psychological, drug and physical test to be administered by the PNP or any NAPOLCOM-accredited hospitals.  (FREEMAN)