Lawmaker seeks mandatory drug test for teachers

MANILA, Philippines — A Visayas congressman yesterday proposed that public and private school teachers, including college professors and instructors, be subjected to mandatory drug tests.

“These teaching professionals are supposed to ensure that their students are protected from all types of criminal elements, including drug pushers,” Samar Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento said.

However, he said there is an increasing number of teachers and professors being arrested for peddling drugs.

There is also a pattern that drug syndicates are specifically targeting schools, he said.          

“This is very alarming. Worse is the fact that some of our teachers, professors and even school officials are involved in the drug trade. We must assure our parents that despite all these horror stories, our schools are still safe and our children are properly protected,” Sarmiento added.

He pointed out that public interest “requires a regular mandatory drug test for our school teachers and make sure that our schools are completely drug-free. We cannot win the war against illegal drugs if even our schools are already infiltrated by these drug syndicates,” he added.

In calling for drug testing, Sarmiento cited the arrest of a principal in his district for allegedly peddling illegal drugs.

He named the principal as Arnulfo Abellar, who was assigned in Calbayog City. 

Seized from the suspect were three sachets of shabu worth P68,000, a .357 revolver and five pieces of ammunition, he said.