TACLOBAN CITY- None of the close to 2,000 police personnel from Eastern Visayas turned to be negative of using illegal drugs.
This was disclosed by Brigadier General Dionardo Carlos, police regional director, who said that the police personnel underwent a random drug testing which is part of the police organization’s cleansing among their ranks of those who are into illegal drug activities.
The drug testing, which was conducted from January up to last month, involved 1,972 police personnel.
Of this number, 1,080 were assigned at the regional Philippine National Police and different police stations; 763 from its drug enforcement units; 79 from national operational support units; and 50 non-uniformed personnel.
“I am happy with the outcome.It only goes to show that our personnel are worthy of public trust as the result turned out to be negative,” Carlos said.
There are 8,549 police personnel in the region.
Carlos said that the random drug testing were done unannounced and conducted in separate dates to really ensure that the subject police personnel could not done something to detoxify and prepare.
The police regional director said that despite of some issues and controversies surrounding on the PNP’s crackdown on illegal drugs, they still continue to get support from the public.
“The communities knew that our (anti-drug) campaign benefits them and this campaign also help in controlling our other campaigns (against criminality),” Carlos said.
Carlos had earlier said that he is working closely with local government units across the region to ensure that their campaign on peace and order, to include illegal drug activity, would also get support from them.
The police regional director said that for them to be successful on their campaign, they need to get the support of the local leaders and the members of the communities as well.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
