CEBU, Philippines – At least 50 station chiefs of the Cebu Provincial Police Office were subjected to a surprise drug test yesterday afternoon during a regular command conference at Camp General Arcadio Maxilom in Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City.
Superintendent Rodulfo Albotra, chief of the Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB), said the surprise drug test was part of their counter-intelligence operation to clean the ranks of the provincial police.
He said the drug test, which does not except chiefs of police, only showed that the provincial police is sincere in its fight against illegal drugs.
He also added that being a recipient of an award given by the Cebu provincial government it is but fitting to show to the people that the chiefs of police are free from drugs.
“Since CPPO is a recipient of the award of the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (AIDSOT), among gipakita ang among worth nga tanan natong chief of police sa Cebu province is free from drugs,” Albotra said.
Intelligence monitoring conducted by PIB, however, did not reveal any senior police official engaged in drugs.
Alborta said all 50 station chiefs were not aware that they would undergo the test right after lunch.
Senior Inspector William Homoc, Tuburan Police Station chief, said the surprise drug test is one way of exercising transparency in the police force.
He said that as cops, they should be role models to the community and should not be engaged in illegal activities. In Tuburan, he said, he has not heard of any member of his team being linked to drug activities.
Albotra said that based on the intelligence monitoring conducted by the PIB, he has not received a report of a particular station chief using or abusing drugs.
The result of the drug test is expected to be out today.
If the result is positive, the specimen will be subjected to confirmatory laboratory examination. If the result would be consistent, an administrative case will be filed against the police official from whom the specimen came. — /JMO (FREEMAN)