Drug test nets 2 DavNor cops

TWO POLICE officers of Davao del Norte Police Provincial office were reassigned to the Regional Police Holding and Accounting Unit after they tested positive for shabu during a surprise urine test earlier this month.

Speaking in yesterday’s AFP-PNP press conference held at Royal Mandaya hotel,

Supt. Panfilo Canete, the chief of Police community relation of DNPPO, did not name the two cops but he said they are “non-commissioned officers.”

A non-commissioned officer refers to a cop with a sleeve rank, or from Police Officer 1 to Special Police Officer 4.

“We will not name or mention the rank because it’s already specific, and also to protect their identity and family,” Canete said.

He said 19 PNP personnel from the office were subjected to the surprise drug test, which is also in line with their internal cleansing. The recommendation came from the intelligence operatives who are monitoring police involvement in illegal drugs.

“We received report from neighbors and peers regarding their involvement and it turned out, two came out positive,” he added.

The two officers will be recommended for reassignment in RPHAU while their administrative case is ongoing.

The Davao Del Norte Police Provincial Office is composed of more than 1,000 personnel.

Meanwhile,Supt. Jay Dema-ala, the operations officer of Compostela Valley  Police Provincial Office, told reporters that they are starting with the lifestyle check of personnel as part of their internal cleansing.

“(We are checking) if they have expensive watches, excessive jewelries and vehicles,” he said.

Last Feb. 2, four police officers were investigated for their involvement in illegal drugs.

Chief Supt. Manuel Gaerlan, director of Police Regional Office XI, did not identify the four police officers. But he said they are now assigned at the Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit while their administrative case is being heard.

“I will not reveal their names yet to be fair to them as the summary dismissal proceedings is ongoing against them,” he said.

He said one of the suspects was a police senior inspector who was accused of being a drug protector. The three other police officers, meanwhile, tested positive for illegal drugs.

“I have created teams and personnel who will go after police officers who may be involved in the protection, drug trafficking, (or) maybe used illegal drugs,” he said.

But he did not elaborate on the composition of these “teams” and how many are there.

“Hopefully, we can quickly transform our police officers, that they will be highly capable in the service and we can get rid of the scalawags,” he said.