CEBU CITY — Key officials and personnel of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) underwent a surprise drug test on Monday in compliance with the directive of the newly-installed PRO-7 Office In Charge Director Chief Supt. Debold Sinas.
Sinas, who also submitted himself to drug testing, said the medical examination is part of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) internal cleansing program which is one of the main thrusts of Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde.
Sinas said surprise drug tests will also be conducted in all units under the PRO-7, which they are going to visit.
“We will announce the results of the drug test soon… then expect for succeeding drug tests in units that we will visit. This random drug tests are for all personnel and officials of headquarters under the PRO-7,” Sinas said.
He also said that any personnel found positive of drug use will be dismissed from the service.
“If you are positive in the initial and then in the confirmatory (tests), you are automatic for dismissal. Once positive in the initial test, your service firearm will be temporarily recalled as well as be relieved from your post and will be transferred to the holding unit while waiting for the result of the confirmatory test,” Sinas said.
Last week, Sinas relieved a medico-legal officer from the region’s crime laboratory after testing positive.
Sinas also urged the public to help in monitoring police officers and report to the headquarters if they are not doing their job while on duty.
“If you see policemen sleeping while on duty or not doing their job, take a photo of them and then send it to us. We will investigate it. It’s better to have a picture for evidence” he said.
Sinas also warned all police personnel to be careful under his administration in the PRO-7 as he will spare no one if found guilty of dereliction of duty.
“You must hide because if you will be caught, you will be dismissed. I do not usually relieve (rogue) officers. I dismissed them,” the police official said. (Luel Galarpe with Bebie Jane Casipong/PNA)
