PRO-7 cops found clean of drug use

A MONTH ago, then presumptive President Rodrigo Duterte vowed that mandatory drug testings should be conducted in all regional offices of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Less than 24 hours after Duterte assumed as president, at least 100 personnel at the Central Visayas Police Regional Office (PRO-7) were made to start their day with a surprise drug test yesterday.

The good news was that no one tested positive for illegal drug use, said Supt. Julian Entoma of PRO-7’s regional operations and plans division.

At the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO), however, a policeman was found positive of drug use in a surprise testing last May would now face termination proceedings, Senior Supt. Jonathan Cabal, MCPO chief, said yesterday.

At Camp Sergio Osmeña, PRO-7’s headquarters, officers, rank and file personnel gathered at the quadrangle early yesterday and waited for their turn to be tested by personnel from the regional police’s crime laboratory.

“This is to show to the new administration that police officers and employees of PRO-7 have the moral ascendency to lead the campaign against crimes especially those tied to the illegal drug trade,” said Entoma.

But he admitted that the order for a surprise drug test came yesterday from Camp Crame and covered all PNP units in the country.

Cabal, on the other hand, said that a policeman assigned as radio operator in MCPO, identified as SPO1 Rey Manatad, would face termination for testing positive of using methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) and for going AWOL (absence without leave).

Manatad, who has been in the police service for 20 years, has stopped reporting for work after the May 23 drug testing, said Cabal.

Cabal said they had long been suspected that Manatad was into drugs because his performance was erratic and had been making up excuses for his frequent absences. / UP Cebu Intern Morexette Marie Erram