6,051 WV cops, Miranda included, undergo drug test

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) said that it is almost halfway in testing all its personnel for illegal drugs use.

Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, PRO-6 spokesperson, said that 6,051 PRO-6 personnel have undergone drug test since November 27, 2020 until January 13, 2021.

The number is different from what was earlier released by the Regional Crime Laboratory Office 6 (RCLO-) which included drug tests taken even earlier.

On Wednesday, another round of drug test was conducted with Brigadier General Rolando Miranda, Western Visayas police chief, also submitting himself.

The RCLO-6 led the unannounced drug test on personnel from the PRO-6 headquarters, Mobile Force companies, and provincial and city police offices.

Miranda has earlier set out a target of 100% for all personnel to be subjected to drug test.

“Kahit ako magpapatest (drug test) din to show them that nobody is exempted,” Miranda said.

PRO-6, with 13,849 personnel, have been conducting series of drug tests.

So far, only one policeman flunked.

Last month, a police non-commissioned officer in Negros Occidental was disarmed and placed under restricted custody after he tested positive for the use of illegal drugs.

The cop, who holds a rank of Corporal, underwent a random drug test along with four others on December 9, 2020.

Meanwhile, the RCLO6, in coordination with the Regional Investigation Division and the Regional Intelligence Division, will continue with the surprise and targeted drug testing to the remaining 7,798 personnel.

The PRO-6 vowed to continuously conduct random and targeted drug testing to its personnel as part of the Philippine National Police’s internal cleansing program to wipe out drug using police officers.