Positive in drug test: Two policemen face axe

CEBU, Philippines - Two police officers were ordered relieved after they tested positive during a drug test set by the newly designated Police Regional Office-7 director.

Chief Superintendent Noli Taliño did not disclose the names of the two policemen, only saying they were non-commissioned officers, with one coming from Bohol while the other was from the CPPO.

A member of the National Supporting Unit has also tested positive for illegal drugs use, but   PRO-7 has no jurisdiction over him as NSUs are administratively under the jurisdiction of the national headquarters.

Taliño said that effective yesterday, the two police officers were relieved from their posts and assigned with the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit of the Police Regional Office headquarters where they will be subjected to a pre-charge evaluation.

And when pre-charge evaluators find probable cause for the filing of an administrative complaint against the two police officers, they would be subjected to summary hearing procedure where they would have the chance to defend themselves.

Senior Superintendent Renato Dugan, PRO-7 spokesperson, however, said that although the two police officers tested positive, the results are still subject to a confirmatory test.

Senior Superintendent Rey Lyndon Lawas, deputy regional director for operations, on the other hand, said the two police officers would be charged after they tested positive during the drug test.

"They are being charged for being (testing) positive…. (but) they should be treated as victims.  Tabangan sab nato to a certain degree," Lawas said.

Taliño, though, said they would stand pat on the decision that policemen using illegal drugs will be dismissed from service. 

"We will be firm in our decision na ipapa-dismiss," he said. (FREEMAN)