Cop tests positive in drug test

CEBU, Philippines — A neophyte policeman assigned at Compostela Police Station was immediately relieved from his post after he tested positive of illegal drug use during a surprise drug test conducted by Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Office (CPADAO) on Wednesday.

Police Senior Superintendent Edgar Allan Okubo, Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) director, said the policeman is now assigned at the Provincial Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit (PPHAU) while waiting for the result of the confirmatory test and administrative investigation.

A total of 25 uniformed and non-uniformed personnel of Compostela Police Station were subjected to the surprise drug test.

Okubo said he directed all of his station commanders to thoroughly supervise their respective personnel to make sure that they are not into drugs and other illegal activities.

A few days ago, Police Regional Office (PRO) – 7 director Chief Supt. Robert Quenery ordered the relief of all Parian Police Station personnel after one of the station’s policemen allegedly extorted money from a drug suspect.

Okubo revealed that this is the first time a police officer tested positive among the 440 uniformed and non-uniformed personnel who were subjected to surprise drug tests this year.

Only one NUP tested positive in Argao Police Station last February.

The random drug testing conducted by the CPADAO in all police stations in Region 7 was to assure that there will be no police personnel involved in illegal drugs.

Meanwhile, Compostela Police Chief Senior Inspector Junafer Vergara assured that she will not tolerate any of her personnel involved in illegal activities, specifically illegal drugs, as the PNP is very serious in its internal cleansing.

“Because this is part of our internal cleansing, makasagmuyo nga naay ni positive. We are still waiting for the confirmatory test, tagaan sa nato og benefit of the doubt pero I assure nga dili ni nato i-tolerate. We are the role models in the community, sa war on drugs, we are the implementors,” said Vergara in a phone interview with The FREEMAN.

Meanwhile, three newly identified drug personalities were arrested in a buy bust operation Wednesday night in Sitio Hawod, Barangay Bulacao, Talisay City.

At least 115 small packs of suspected shabu worth P72,000 were recovered from their possession.

Arrested were Ryan Clifford Bacus alyas “Opaw”, Radys Ibones, and Joepit Cabriana.

Police Chief Superintendent Marlu Conag said two months after he assumed office, they were able to arrest 60 drug personalities.

In Cebu City, police arrested 51 personalities during its 61st One Time Big Time (OTBT) operation from 1 a.m. on Wednesday to noon of Thursday.

Of the 51 arrested personalities, 46 are male and 5 are female.

Twenty eight were arrested for violation of Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Drugs Act; 10 for involvement in illegal gambling; seven for pending warrants of arrest; one for physical injuries; one for stealing a motorcycle; three for violation of City Ordinance 2108 or Anti-Dispatching Ordinance and one for theft.

Evidence seized include 82 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated market value of P 349,752, cash worth P166, 337 believed to be proceeds of the illegal drug trade, one motor vehicle, and two video-karera machines.

Police Superintendent Artemio B. Ricabo, Deputy City Director for Operation of CCPO, said that there are lesser personalities this week because of lesser drug supply because of the continuous anti-drug operations.

"Manghinaut ta mawala ang drugs ug maka-declare ta og usa or pipila ka barangay nga drug-free. Mao na atong goal," Deputy Director Ricabo said. — Ermida Q. Moradas, Iris Mariani B. Algabre and Norhaine I. Sultan/BC-Intern/MBG (FREEMAN)