Busay official demands public apology after confirmatory drug test turned out negative

Councilor Joel Garganera (left) talks to Busay Barangay Captain Amilo Lopez (center) and Barangay Councilor Yody Sanchez before the start of the news conference (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA).

BUSAY Barangay Captain Amilo Lopez is demanding a public apology from Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (Cosap) head Dr. Alice Utlang for allegedly revealing that he tested positive for drug use even before a confirmatory test was done.

In a news conference yesterday, Lopez said that the right process was not followed. “As a doctor, she (Utlang) should’ve helped me. There was no confirmatory test yet. How come the media knew about it?” Lopez asked.

Usually, the result would be submitted to the Department of Interior and Local Government for appropriate action.

To recall, Lopez was one of the 60 barangay captains who underwent a surprise drug test last October. He was the only one who tested positive for illegal drug use.

Cosap conducted the test in time for the third quarterly assembly of the Association of Barangay Councils.

But Lopez’s name was leaked even before his urine sample was sent to Manila for confirmation.

“I cannot explain how painful this is. They did not just embarrass me but also my family, our barangay,” Lopez said.
Lopez received the result of the confirmatory test just last Thursday, December 1.

He questioned why it took so long for him to receive the result when the test was confirmed last November 2. “If the result showed positive, they would have revealed it early,” he said.

Lopez added that he wants Utlang to personally inform the public that he tested negative of any illegal drugs and wants the apology to be issued before December 5 ends.

“This result, she should hold and show this to the public. I am not an addict,” he said.

He added that if Utlang fails to issue the apology, he will be forced to file a case to revoke her license as a doctor.

In a phone interview, Utlang said she had no idea who leaked the information. “I did not inform it to anyone, even the mayor. Not even a hint that it is coming from the North or from the South,” she said. Utlang said it was Lopez who informed the public about the issue because he was the one who called the media for a press conference. Utlang said she would not apologize.

She added, though, that it is Lopez’s right to file a complaint. She said she is ready to answer it.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña, in a separate interview, once again challenged those suspected drug users to undergo another test but this time, using hair sample.

But Lopez turned down Osmeña’s challenge, saying the result of the confirmatory test was enough.

“The confirmatory test was sent by them. The requesting party is the local government unit. They would not believe this again?” Lopez asked.

After the surprise drug test in October, Lopez had himself tested again in a private hospital in the city. The results showed negative.

But Cosap did not honor the result.