Town policeman found "positive" of shabu use

CEBU, Philippines - A Senior Police Officer 1 of the Vallehermoso Police Station in Negros Oriental was initially found positive for use of shabu, during a random drug test conducted by the Police Crime Laboratory on Monday.

Senior Superintendent Mariano Natuel, Jr., OIC director of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office, however declined to identify the policeman until the drug test result is confirmed by the Police Regional Office-7, based in Cebu City.

If the test results are confirmed positive, the policeman will be facing criminal charges and probably dismissal from service or maybe reassigned to the provincial command while administrative charges will be filed against him, said Natuel.

Natuel said the random drug tests at the Vallehermoso Police was part of the measures to cleanse the ranks of misfits, following reports reaching his office earlier that a policeman there was into illegal drugs use.

Subjected to the drug tests were at least 30 policemen of Vallehermoso, including their chief, Senior Inspector Pedy Noval.

Natuel said the marching order of PRO-7 director, Chief Superintendent Prudencio Bañas was to conduct a crackdown on target personalities in the illegal drugs trade and on police personnel suspected of using and even pushing illegal drugs.

The police intelligence unit has actually been monitoring the activities of at least three policemen, under the NOrPPO, suspected of being involved in the illegal drug trade as pushers, Natuel said. — (FREEMAN)