By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA
MANILA — The Eastern Police District (EPD) on Tuesday conducted a surprise drug test for its personnel.
In a statement, EPD Director, Chief Supt. Bernabe Balba, said a total of 135 operatives from the District and Station Drug Enforcement Unit and the Intelligence Unit were gathered at the EPD Headquarters in the guise of a conference.
In the middle of the conference, the EPD Crime Laboratory Office personnel arrived and conducted the surprise drug test wherein no one could leave the headquarters unless they were done with the drug test.
Balba disclosed that the random drug test is done during unexpected events or dates to check the health status of EPD personnel and make sure that they are drug-free.
He further said the activity aims to determine if personnel are involved in illegal activities while enforcing the law against illegal drugs. It is also one way of cleaning the ranks of the EPD to live up to its trilogy of Excellent, Disciplined and Professional policemen.
The drug test complies with the aggressive campaign of the Philippine National Police and the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) against “ninja” cops.
NCRPO head, Director Guillermo Eleazar, ordered all policemen in the metropolis to be ready for random drug tests as part of the PNP’s efforts to weed out drug users from its ranks.
Eleazar gave the directive to the district directors after a rookie policeman was caught sniffing cocaine inside an upscale Taguig City club.
The suspect will face dismissal proceedings soon.
