Two cops in province sacked for drug use

CEBU, Philippines - The Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 has found probable cause to dismiss two policemen from service after the two were found positive of using drugs following a surprise drug test in July last year.

The Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 has found probable cause to dismiss two policemen from service after the two were found positive of using drugs following a surprise drug test in July last year.

PO1 Jose Emmanuel Deluvio and PO1 Caesar Montaez, both assigned at the Cebu Provincial Police Office, were found guilty of grave misconduct after a chemistry report confirmed that their urine samples were positive of the presence of drugs.

Because of this, they have lost the mandatory qualification as provided for in the Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998.

Deluvio questioned the result, saying he was using Clindamicin, an antibiotic, as medication for an insect bite. He also argued that the container where the urine sample was placed was not sealed.

But the Disciple Law and Order Section (DILOS) said the urine sample was subjected to a confirmatory test, which revealed the same result as the initial findings.

Montaez also contested that the conduct of the random drug test had no basis because the memorandum from the PNP National Headquarters and memorandum from Chief Intelligence and Operations Division, PRO-7 did not have signatures of the officers.

Investigators, however, said this cannot affect the validity of the random drug test based on Section 36 Article 3, RA 9165, which provides that the officers and members of the military, police and other law enforcement agencies shall undergo an annual mandatory drug test.

One of the general qualifications for appointment into police service is that a person or a member of the PNP must have passed the psychiatric or psychological, drug and physical test to be administered by the PNP or any NAPOLCOM accredited hospitals.

Just recently, the Provincial Intelligence Branch conducted a surprise drug test to at least 40 intelligence personnel of different police stations in Cebu province.

Supt. Rodulfo Albotra Jr., PIB chief, said that as operatives dealing with illegal drugs, members have to be clean.

No one tested positive except for 10 intelligence operatives who failed to attend undergo the test CPPO. PIB is now waiting for their explanation for failure to appear at the CPPO. (FREEMAN)