23 tanods positive for drugs face ax

CEBU, Philippines — Twenty-three barangay tanods from Cebu City are on the verge of losing their jobs after testing positive for illegal drug use.

Roughly 800 tanods from 49 lowland villages underwent a surprise drug test conducted Monday by the Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (COSAP).

COSAP head Garry Lao told reporters that the termination of employment of 23 barangay tanods is in accordance with the existing laws.

“Even the barangay captains nag-ingon nako nga dili sila mag-hesitate nga ilahang i-terminate,” he said.

As provided for under Article 282 of the Labor Code and pertinent provisions of Civil Service Commission, any employee found positive for illegal drug use will be suspended or terminated from service.

Although the results are still subject for confirmatory tests, Lao said they will still implement the immediate termination.

“Screen test, urine test ni siya kay every time mag-conduct ta og confirmatory test, the same people ang mogawas nga nag-positive gihapon. Taktak kay mao man gyud na atong policy,” Lao said.

Lao reiterated that the conduct of surprise drug test is part of the city government's efforts to make every barangay a drug-free workplace.

Aside from that, this is in support of the Duterte administration’s campaign against illegal drugs.

“Ang uban nila for political accommodation, di ba? Maikog kay pagpanahon sa eleksyon nitabang, so magpangikog. The only way ma-terminate or ma-let go sila, mopahigayon og drug test,” Lao said.

Section 36 (d) of the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002 mandates all public and private employees to be subjected to a random drug test.

Lao said the barangay captains will have to hire new tanods to replace those who will be terminated from service.

Lao said he will recommend to Mayor Tomas Osmeña  the suspension of this month's allowance for tanods who failed to undergo the drug test.  —Odessa O. Leyson/KBQ

Those who were absent during the drug test had only given them "flimsy and invalid excuses,” he said. — KBQ (FREEMAN)