10 intel operatives told to explain absence in drug test

CEBU, Philippines -  At least 10 intelligence operatives from different police stations of the Cebu Provincial Police Office will be made to explain after they failed to report for a random drug test.

Intelligence officers from the towns were summoned to report to the provincial headquarters yesterday supposedly to attend the Provincial Police Intelligence Coordinating Committee conference.

Instead of a conference, they were subjected to a surprise drug test. All 40 operatives present passed the drug test. But, those who were absent will have a lot of explaining to do.

 Superintendent Rodulfo Albotra Jr., PIB chief, said those who were absent will be given five days to explain why no administrative charges will be filed against them.

 â€œA week ago I informed them to attend the conference and there should be no replacement or substitution and of course they were also not informed of the drug test,” Albotra said.

 As intelligence operatives, they are in the frontline in the campaign against illegal drugs.

 â€œMoral ascendancy ba kay kita ang manakop dapat limpyo pud ta as prime movers,”Albotra said.

 Albotra admitted filing administrative charges against intelligence operatives from Cordova Police Station last year for failure to attend the same seminar.

 Two months ago, at least 50 PIB personnel also underwent the test. All of them tested negative.

 CPPO director, Senior Superintendent Noel Gillamac, said a police officer from Bantayan Police Station tested positive but is still subject of a confirmatory test.

He vowed to dismiss from service those who will be found positive of using illegal drugs. — (FREEMAN)