16 soldiers sacked for drug use

CEBU, Philippines - At least 16 personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Central Command have been dismissed from the service after they were tested positive for illegal drugs.

Major Lino Araya Jr., operations chief of CentCom, said the dismissal of the 16 soldiers was part of the AFP’s internal cleansing in support of the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.

“Subay sa pagpanglimpyo sa among han-ay sa armadong kusog batok illegal nga drugas, 16 na ka mga sakop sa AFP ang nataktak sa trabaho,” Araya told members of the media during the AFP-PNP Press Corps Fun Shoot 2016 last Saturday.

Araya said that military personnel found using illegal drugs are immediately discharged from the service.

“Lisod sa amo kung magpositibo ka mataktak gyud ka sa serbisyo kay lahi man among mga pamaagi nga gitamod ug istrikto ang among mga pamaagi,” he said.

According to Araya, the AFP-CentCom has been helping the police in the campaign against illegal drugs.

In fact, they have conducted at least 435 intelligence operations, 173 joint direct operations, 64 civil military operations, and 15 support activities in the serving of warrants.

Araya said they have participated in buy-bust operations conducted by the police, during which eight suspects have been killed, 50 arrested and 311 surrendered. They have confiscated 25 firearms and 24 explosives.

A total of 449 sachets of shabu were confiscated by them and burned about 18, 256 marijuana plants. Majority of the anti-drug operations were conducted in northern Cebu.—Rowena D. Capistrano/FPL