4 police officials to explain absence during drug test

CEBU, Philippines - Four police chiefs from different police stations in the Cebu province have been directed to give an explanation over their failure to attend the meeting at the Cebu Provincial Police Office Wednesday in which a surprise drug test was conducted.

The police chiefs of Barili, Poro, Bantayan, and Tudela are given until Monday to submit their explanations to the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch (PIDMB).

“If they fail to do that, then they will be facing appropriate investigation,” Gillamac said.

Out of the 50 chiefs all over the province, 46 made it to the provincial headquarters and submitted themselves to drug testing. No one tested positive.

Senior Superintendent Noel Gillamac, CPPO director, said Alcoy Police Station personnel have been exempted from the meeting due to the killing of its police chief, Inspector Crisanto Abella this week.

The cops were told to attend the meeting with the Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council Executive Director Joey Herrera and Chairperson of the Committee on Ethics and on Dangerous Drug Abuse and Prevention, Carmen Remedios Durano-Meca.

During the meeting, the police officers discussed their entire anti-drug operations in their respective areas and their difficulties in acquiring search warrants against their subjects.

Superintendent Rodulfo Albotra, Provincial Intelligence Branch chief, said that surprise drug test was conducted right after the meeting.

Meanwhile, during the press conference, CPPO presented close to P4.9 million worth of illegal drugs, 24 assorted firearms, cash, and drug paraphernalia confiscated during Cebu province’s week-long operation last week.

Of 49 operations conducted, 37 search warrants were implemented, eight were buy-bust operations and four were on relevant operations like the discovery of marijuana plantations and impromptu apprehension of illegal drugs.

The anti-drug operations led to the arrest of 28 people. Nine others, how-ever, remain at large.

Herrera and Meca, who showed satisfaction on the operations, assured to support the CPPO financially in their fight against illegal drugs.  (FREEMAN)