12 Calabarzon cops positive for illegal drugs

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna — The Calabarzon police command is preparing administrative charges against 12 policemen who tested positive for illegal drugs during surprise drug tests recently.

Chief Supt. Jesus Verzosa, Calabarzon regional director said, identified eight of the 12 policemen as SPO1 Nelson Lunar, PO3 Eddie Bataller and PO1 Regimel Regidor, all assigned to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s Region 4 office; SPO1 Wilfredo Patag, of the Cainta, Rizal police; PO2 Ronald Piñon, of the Antipolo City police; PO2 Mark Anthony Caranay and PO1 Rommel Gatapalam, both detailed in Taytay, Rizal; and PO1 Siegmund Jael, of the Regional Headquarters Support Group.

Verzosa said all 12 policemen will be immediately relieved from their posts.

He said the Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO), headed by Superintendent Ligaya Cabal, conducted random drug tests among the personnel of the regional police command as well as the Criminal Investigation and Detection and Traffic Management Groups last August.

Based on the Cabal’s report, the 12 policemen, out of the 7,016 tested, were found positive for methamphetamine.

Verzosa said he has ordered the 12 to appear in the regional headquarters for dismissal proceedings.