PRO-10 cops undergo surprise drug tests
Over a hundred policemen in Northern Mindanao were made to undergo unannounced drug tests at the Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao (PRO-10) in Camp 1st Lt Vicente G. Alagar, Barangay Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro City, on Monday, September 18.
Led by PRO-10 regional director Chief Superintendent Timoteo Pacleb, all personnel of PRO-10 headquarters were tested for drug use administered by the Regional Crime Laboratory Office (RCLO-10).
Among those who underwent the drug testing were members of the command group, the directorial staff, chiefs of the National Administrative Support Units (NASUs) and National Operational Support Units (NOSUs).
Superintendent Lemuel Gonda, PRO-10 spokesperson, said the surprise drug test is part of the police’s internal cleansing program aimed at weeding out police scalawags who are into prohibited drugs or even engaging in the drug trade.
Gonda said this is also in compliance with the directive of PNP Chief Ronald Dela Rosa to cleanse the rank from officers down to the lowest rank in the organization.
“It is to restore and uphold the integrity of the organization and public’s trust with the conduct of mandatory drug tests among all personnel and intensified efforts to eradicate illegal drugs as majority of heinous crime in the country are drug-related, ”Gonda said in a statement.
Gonda stressed that the PNP will not tolerate any member of the organization who violates the law and gets involved in illegal drug activities.
The PRO-10 spokesperson said those who will be tested positive will face dismissal from the police service.
“Within a week makuha na ang result ug katong magpositive, naa man confirmatory test then kung positive gyud mahimong ma-dismiss sa serbisyo, ”Gonda said.
“Ang RCLO na gyud ang gaadto sa mga police station ug maghimo sa surprise drug test, ”Gonda added.
“PRO-10 leadership wants police officers that have unsullied service reputation, unblemished record, and a character beyond suspicion to perform their mandated task to get rid of illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption, ”Gonda said.