PRO-6 procures 5,000 more drug-testing kits

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The Police Regional Office (PRO) has obtained 5,000 more drug testing kits for its organic personnel.

Brigadier General Sidney Villaflor, Western Visayas police chief, said the procurement of additional drug testing kits is anchored on the 5-focused agenda of the PNP leadership, including cleansing the police ranks of “misfits.”

Since Villaflor assumed post on May 24, 5,822 personnel have already undergone drug tests.

The number is 43.68 percent of the PRO-6’s 13,329 organic personnel.

So far, only two personnel were found positive for illegal drug use. Both will be facing appropriate charges.

Chances are they will be dismissed from the service, Villaflor said.

On June 19, Villaflor also approved the purchase of 5,000 drug test kits through the Philippine Anti-Drug Strategy (PADS) Fund.

Citing his determination to achieve 100 percent drug-tested organic personnel, he authorized the purchase of another 5,000 drug test kits.

“Drug testing will not stop until PRO-6 achieves our goal to test all of our organic personnel. By next week, I will again add another 5,000 drug-test kits, the third batch to achieve our target,” he said.

The region’s top cop said it is a tangible way to check their personnel’s integrity and commitment to duty.

“We now have individual records and results. Those who failed to submit themselves to drug tests and those whose results turned out positive will face severe consequences. We will implement the highest penalty available to those misfits in the organization,” he said.

Villaflor also appealed to the public to help the PNP in cleansing their ranks to maintain an honest and credible service.