By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA
MANILA — The Southern Police District (SPD) on Wednesday conducted a surprise drug test for its personnel.
In a statement released Thursday, SPD Director, Senior Supt. Eliseo dela Cruz, said a total of 219 operatives from the District and Station Drug Enforcement Unit and the Intelligence Unit were gathered at the SPD Headquarters while waiting for the Crime Laboratory Office personnel to arrive and facilitate the conduct of the mandatory drug test.
No one was allowed to leave the headquarters unless they undergo the drug test.
Dela Cruz said mandatory drug tests are done regularly during unexpected events or dates to check the health status of SPD personnel and to make sure they are drug-free.
“It is also one way of cleaning the ranks of the Southern Police District in order to maintain its mandate to serve with pride and dignity as professional policemen,” he added.
The SPD covers the cities of Pasay, Makati, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Taguig, as well as the municipality of Pateros.
The drug test complies with the campaign of the Philippine National Police (PNP) 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 directed district directors to conduct the drug test after a rookie policeman was caught sniffing cocaine inside an upscale Taguig City club.
The suspect will face dismissal proceedings.
