96 PDEA-7 personnel pass drug test
Less than 48 hours after President Rodrigo Duterte accused the agents and officials of Philippine Drug Enforcement in Cebu as “addicts,” some 96 personnel of PDEA-7, in fact, tested negative for the use of illegal drugs.
The agency conducted a surprise drug test on all of its personnel barely two days after President Duterte, who spoke at the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Visayas Island Cluster Conference in Cebu on Tuesday, declared that local policemen and the PDEA are into drugs.
“Ang mga pulis niyo diri sa Cebu, puro addict. Halos tanan, hasta inyong mga opisyal. Hasta inyong PDEA imbes taas og ranggo, mao pa ang distributor,” Duterte said in his speech in front of the mayors from different municipalities in Visayas.
PDEA-7 Director Wardley Getalla has already assured the public that the agency will take a zero tolerance stance on those who will compromise the integrity and credibility of the agency.
He added that internal cleansing is one of the top priorities of PDEA-7. The drug test on all personnel from Bohol, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, and Cebu was part of that cleansing, he added.
Workers from the PDEA-7 laboratory facilitated the drug test yesterday. PDEA-7, however, clarified that the test was not only part of the agency’s internal cleansing efforts but is also mandated under the law.
“Dili ni siya first time nga drug test sa atong mga personnel. Required ta by law to have mandatory drug testing annually,” said PDEA-7 spokesperson Leia Albiar.
“Under Section 36, Article III of RA 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, “officers and members of the military, police, and other lawenforcement agencies shall undergo annual mandatory drug test,” Albiar said.
Getalla said his office will continue to strengthen their internal cleansing efforts and conduct more random drug tests as part of the agency’s thrust to maintain a high standard of service and ultimately maintain the public trust.
The Police Regional Office, on the other hand, already admitted that there are still cops in Cebu who are involved in illegal drugs.
However, PRO-7 Director Chief Superintendent Debold Sinas assured that they are doing corrective measures and internal cleansing within the organization.