6 cops positive for shabu face dismissal

SIX policemen who have tested positive for shabu will face administrative charges which may lead to their dismissal from the service.

“Rest assured the PNP will not tolerate such behavior,” PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said during a press briefing at Camp Crame yesterday.

“And we will ensure that appropriate charges are filed to address this issue and uphold the uncompromising principles of a drug-free police force,” added Acorda.

He said five of the policemen are assigned to the National Capital Region Police Office and one is from the Eastern Visayas regional police office. They were not identified.

Three of them are patrolmen while the three others hold ranks of chief master sergeant, senior master sergeant and master sergeant, said Acorda.

Acorda said the six policemen were among 4,517 policemen and 97 civilian PNP personnel who were subjected to random drug testing this year.

“Regrettably, six individuals tested positive for methamphetamine, five from NCRPO and one in Region 8 (Eastern Visayas),” he said.

Acorda urged regional police directors to continue random drug testing among their personnel, saying: “Let us continue with our internal cleansing. That is the only way to convince our countrymen and even foreigners that the police force is doing its best to weed the organization of misfits and scalawags.”

Acorda also reported the PNP’s gain in the continuing war against illegal drugs this year.

“I am pleased to report that from January 1 to January 18, 2024, the PNP conducted a total of 1,376 anti-illegal drugs operations,” said Acorda.

He said these operations led to the arrest of 1,661 suspects and the seizure of P132.9 million worth of illegal drugs.

“These efforts highlight our determination to eradicate the menace of illegal drugs from our communities, thereby safeguarding the well-being of our citizens,” said Acorda.