Drug rehab for 12 cops

Twelve policemen found positive for drug use were ordered to go on mandatory rehabilitation by the Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday.

Deputy Director General Edgar Aglipay, head of the newly-created Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force, also recommended yesterday summary dismissal proceedings against the 12 officers, including a chief inspector, who were found positive in the final and confirmatory tests.

"At the same time, I also recommended to the PNP chief that the director for personnel management coordinate with the rehabilitation center for the rehabilitation of those who tested positive," Aglipay said.

Director Jose Lalisan, head of the PNP Directorate for Personnel and Resource Management (DPRM), was directed to identify rehabilitation centers where the 12 policemen can be placed.

Aglipay said the urine samples of the 12 policemen showed positive results for the use of either marijuana or shabu on both the initial screening and subsequent confirmatory testing.

Aglipay had submitted the names of all the 12 police officers to PNP chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., who will give the go-signal for the summary dismissal proceedings.

"I have also recommended to the PNP chief that the 12 officers who were confirmed positive should now be subject of summary dismissal proceedings," he said.

The results were lifted from the urine samples of 1,079 personnel from the national headquarters and 102 policemen from the National Capital Region.

Eight of the 12 come from the national headquarters while the rest are from the NCRPO.

Aglipay added that Chief Superintendent Rolando Garcia, head of the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM), will evaluate if evidence warrants the filing of criminal charges.

"My recommendation is for the director for Investigation and Detection Management to proceed with the necessary action, including the filing of administrative and criminal case based on the evidence," he said.

Aglipay said the PNP will conduct surprise random drug testing all throughout the year to rid the police force of drug-using cops.