Two cops in W. Visayas test positive for drug use

By Glazyl Y. Masculino and Jennifer P. Rendon 

BACOLOD City – Two out of the 5,694 policemen in Western Visayas who underwent drug testing yielded positive results.

This was revealed by Police Brigadier General Sidney Villaflor, regional director of Police Regional Office (PRO)-6, during his visit to the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) here yesterday.

But Villaflor did not reveal the names of the officers, pending their confirmatory drug test results.

In a media interview, Villaflor said that one personnel was assigned to the regional headquarters in Iloilo City, while the other was assigned to the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) here.

Villaflor said the investigation will start if there’s an official report from the Regional Forensics Unit on the confirmatory tests.

“Parang kaso lang iyan sa korte. Imbestigahan muna para matingnan kung anong factors ang ma-i-consider sa investigation,” he added.

Meanwhile, Major Mary Grace Borio, PRO-6 spokesperson, said the Nocppo personnel is a police non-commissioned officer (PNCO). He was part of the group of Nocppo personnel who underwent testing on July 7 and 8.

A confirmatory test was already done but the result is yet to be released.

“If evidence warrants, he will face appropriate charges and will be eventually dismissed from the service,” Borio said.

While the number is very negligible, Borio said that it has still an impact on their internal cleansing efforts since they are law enforcers.

PRO-6 is now almost halfway in the drug testing of more than 13,000 PRO-6 personnel.

It can be noted that when Villaflor assumed post as Western Visayas police chief, he vowed rid PRO-6 with undesirable members, especially those who are into illegal drugs.

Last month, PRO-6 procured 5,000 drug testing kits for its personnel use. Villaflor said the move is part of the command initiative relative to PNP chief General Benjamin Acorda’s 5-focused agenda.

The drug test kits are for exclusive use of PRO-6 organic personnel.

“As I’ve said, this initiative is part of our Internal Cleansing Program. This is a tangible way of checking the personnel’s integrity and commitment to duty.  We now have records, results, and actions to be undertaken to those who failed to submit themselves to drug test and to those whose result turned out positive,” he said.

“Hindi ito harsh. Ito ay dapat lang gawin (referring to the drug test),” Villaflor said, adding that there has to be a drug-free place pursuant to Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

“Ang irony kasi is that kami ang nagiimplement ng batas, tapos kasamahan din namin mag positive,” he said.

Villaflor said the punishment will be harsh as it can lead to the dismissal from the police service.

He said that he will continue to acquire more drug test kits, until all policemen in the region will undergo drug testing.

The region’s top cop also vowed to enforce maximum sanctions to personnel who will fall short of the expectation of the PNP and the people of Western Visayas.

“It is my desire to ensure that everyone under my watch are free from any involvement in illegal drug,” he said.

Villaflor also appealed to the public to help PRO-6 in its desire to kick out scalawags in uniform by providing information to authorities.

“Magbigay-alam po sa pamamagitan ng aming mga hotline numbers o pumunta sa pinakamalapit na police stations kung may nalalaman po kayo patungkol sa mga pulis na nauugnay sa iligal na droga. Ang impormasyon at katauhan nyo po ay aming itatratong confidential. Makialam po tayo para sa mas mahusay na serbisyo ng inyong kapulisan,” he said.