116 cops test positive for illegal drugs

MANILA, Philippines — More than 100 cops tested positive for using illegal drugs following the random drug test of the entire Philippine National Police (PNP), a ranking official said on Thursday.

Acting executive officer of the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) Senior Superintendent Fausto Manzanilla Jr. said that 116 officers with ranks he declined to mention tested positive in a confirmatory drug test held since July 1 as part of their campaign to cleanse their ranks and the drive of the government to eradicate drugs.

Manzanilla added that it is only 0.15 percent of the whole 75,964 PNP personnel who were subjected to the test as of yesterday.

He noted that results of the drug test on the 35 cops who surrendered to PNP chief Rolando Dela Rosa on Monday were not yet included.

Due process

Manzanilla explained that officers who tested positive would be given due process and would not be dismissed from the service immediately.

“Hindi sila matatanggal kaagad, there are procedures to be applied,” he said in a press briefing at Camp Crame.

“We have to conduct pre-charge evaluation and investigation and they will be recommended to face summary hearing procedures.”

READ: Entire PNP to file SALNs anew for financial investigation

Manzanilla said that the investigation would "not take so long” before the decision is out against the policemen who use drugs.

Despite the result of the confirmatory drug test, the DIDM official clarified that cops who tested positive are not yet “guilty.”

However, he assured that if the policemen were found guilty, they would face consequences and eventually dismissal from service.

“Wala naman makalulusot pa diyan lalo na with the current trend that we are trying to clean our ranks,” Manzanilla said.

"Marami nang natatanggal," he added.