Moises Padilla cop tests positive for drug use

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Police Colonel Romeo Baleros, director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) is recommending the dismissal of a police officer who reportedly tested positive for illegal drug use while he was applying for a promotion early this month.

Police Captain Hancel Lumandaz, chief of Moises Padilla Municipal Police Station, identified the policeman as Police Corporal Joey Silao, assigned desk officer of the said police station.

Lumandaz said he was informed about Silao’s drug test results yesterday morning but he is still waiting for the copy of the test results from Iloilo.

He said that Silao underwent the test earlier this month as part of the process for his promotion.

However, when the results of the test came out, he failed to report back to work, Lumandaz said.

“We tried calling him but he cannot be reached. He’s been absent for a week now, he added.

Silao was part of the police officers from Iloilo who were assigned to the town last August as part of the cleansing of the existing policemen in relation to the town’s security status, Lumandaz said.

He said they will report his absence to the provincial office and will file an absent without official leave (awol) status for him in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Baleros said he already directed the Provincial Investigation and Detection Management Branch (PIDMB) to probe Silao for his immediate dismissal from the police service.

“I want him to be immediately dismissed. I don’t want to have a policeman in Negros Occidental who has an inclination on illegal drugs,” he added.

Baleros said he already requested for the relief of Silao from the said police station and be transferred to Nocppo headquarters under floating status.