Pinamungajan Police: Surprise drug test yields negative results

CEBU, Philippines - At least 23 personnel of Pinamungajan Police Station, including the station chief, were subjected to a surprise drug test yesterday morning following the arrest of one of its investigators in a buy-bust operation Friday.

In a text message, Superintendent Rex Derilo said Pinamungajan Police Station chief, Inspector Gilfred Baroman, was the first to undergo the test followed by 22 of his personnel.

All of them tested negative, Derilo's text message said.

Police Officer 1 Ian Patrick Carvellida, investigator of Pinamungajan Police Station, was arrested past 8 p.m. Friday in Barangay Poblacion, Pinamungajan by the operatives of Provincial Intelligence Branch inside a drug den.

Carvellida was allegedly seen sniffing drugs inside the house and tried to draw his firearm when PIB operatives approached him, prompting them to shoot him twice in the leg. He was immediately brought to Pinamungajan District Hospital.

Senior Superintendent Rey Lyndon Lawas, deputy regional director for operations of Police Regional Office-7, said it baffles him knowing that Carvellida divulged that aside from him, there are two other police officers who frequent the drug den where he was arrested.

"It is surprising to know man gud nga only in one setting nadakpan ang usa attempted to fight back pa sa operating personnel. Ang two kay based on the accounts of na-arrested nga that day naay two other policemen," said Lawas.

The drug test is reportedly one way to validate if Carvellida's statement is true.

Further, Carvellida's arrest is a testament that the regional office's effort in cleansing their ranks is working, said Lawas.

"In fairness sa PNP organization, this should not be taken against PNP organization kay for all you know we have exerted a lot of effort to cleanse our rank. Di man nato mabantayan tanan nga personnel because this is personal act nga which we don't want to condone also tubagon nila ang kasayupan nga gibuhat," Lawas said.

He added that the fault of one police officer cannot taint the whole police organization as there are those who are faithfully doing their job well.

Meanwhile, Chief Superintendent Patrocinio Comendador Jr., director of PRO-7, said their campaign against illegal drugs will be strictly enforced regardless of who is the subject, either police officer or not.

"…atong objective is to maintain the integrity. As law enforces we should be the one to set example nga dili ta mogamit og ang ilang mapadulngan ani administrative and criminal charges," he said.

Comendador said once the two policemen in Pinamungajan Police Station will be identified and if there is enough evidence, they will file appropriate charges against them.

He said the police officers will be relieved pending investigation.  (FREEMAN)