AFTER P816K NARCO BUST: Iloilo City Workers Face Random Drug Tests in 2025

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan and Jennifer P. Rendon

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas announced that all city government employees will undergo random drug testing starting 2025 following the recent arrest of a job hire involved in a buy-bust operation.

This directive is part of Memorandum Order No. 282, series of 2024, issued last September. The policy aims to ensure the integrity of city government personnel and their adherence to laws against illegal drugs.

Drug testing will be conducted across all city government departments through the Molecular Laboratory in Barangay San Pedro, Molo district.

“These measures aim to ensure that all personnel in the government maintain a high level of integrity and are free from involvement in illegal activities, particularly the dangerous and damaging influence of drugs,” Treñas said.

The announcement follows a December 26 buy-bust operation in Barangay East Baluarte, Molo, where two women were arrested. Authorities confiscated 120 grams of suspected methamphetamine, valued at PHP 816,000.

The suspects were identified as alias Arien, 29, a job hire at the Beautification Department of Iloilo City Hall, and alias Jen, 50, a housekeeper. Both were apprehended by members of the Iloilo City Police Office – City Drug Enforcement Unit (ICPO-CDEU) along with other law enforcement agencies.

During the operation, the suspects sold a sachet of suspected methamphetamine for PHP 14,000. Additional sachets and two knot-tied plastic packs of the illegal substance were also recovered.

Captain Ryan Christ Inot, CDEU team leader, stated that the suspects had no previous drug-related arrests but were linked to live-in partners currently detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology facility in Barangay Nanga, Pototan.

Mayor Treñas condemned the involvement of a city employee in the drug trade and confirmed the immediate termination of Arien’s employment.

“We hold our employees to the highest standards of conduct, and any involvement in illegal activities is grounds for dismissal,” he said.

He assured the public of swift and appropriate action, emphasizing the city government’s commitment to integrity and law enforcement.

“In light of this incident, I am announcing the implementation of random drug testing for all job hires starting next year. These measures are essential to maintaining a drug-free and safe community,” Treñas added.

The mayor also lauded the police for their success in combating illegal drugs in Iloilo City.

“This incident underscores the importance of our law enforcement’s efforts, and I want to reassure the public that the City Government will continue supporting initiatives to ensure Iloilo City remains drug-free,” Treñas said.