474 IPPO personnel undergo random drug testing

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Hundreds of personnel from the Iloilo Police Provincial Office underwent the latest round of mandatory random drug testing.

Records showed that the Iloilo Provincial Forensic Unit administered drug tests to 474 personnel on March 19 at the IPPO headquarters in Camp Sumagaysay, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo.

Iloilo police chief Col. Bayani Razalan said Thursday’s screening was the third round of drug testing for the quarter.

The first round was conducted on Feb. 3 and covered 456 personnel.

A second batch of 520 personnel underwent mandatory drug testing on Feb. 24.

With 1,591 personnel already tested, IPPO said 66 percent of its 2,407 personnel have complied with the mandatory screening requirement.

“So far, for the two first two drug tests, no personnel was found to be using illegal drugs,” Razalan said.

The initiative is part of the Philippine National Police’s internal cleansing program aimed at preserving integrity, discipline and professionalism within the police ranks.

It was also conducted in line with the Integrity Monitoring Program under the focus agenda of PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., according to official PNP regional websites that continue to identify him as chief of the national police.

“We’re strictly implementing a zero-tolerance policy against illegal drug use,” he said.

Razalan said regular random drug testing of uniformed and non-uniformed personnel is meant to reinforce credibility and accountability in the police force.