Cop tests positive for drugs, faces ax

MANILA, Philippines — A member of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will be dismissed from the police service after he tested positive for drugs, an official said yesterday.

Cpl. Sonny Florence will be dismissed as part of the Philippine National Police cleansing program, according to NCRPO chief Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas.

Sinas said Florence tested positive for shabu, based on the confirmatory drug test of the crime laboratory.

Florence will be charged with grave misconduct, which is punishable with dismissal from the police service, the NCRPO chief said.

Florence is the second policeman to be sacked by Sinas since he assumed the NCRPO post on Oct. 12.

Sinas had dismissed Pat. Darwin Resurrecion after he was found positive for marijuana use.

According to Sinas, the five police districts and stations in Metro Manila conducted random drug testing among their personnel to prevent police officers from using shabu and marijuana.

“I’m reminding our policemen that drug testing will continue. If ever you are using drugs you better stop or you would suffer the same fate as Florence and Resureccion,” Sinas said. “We would not hesitate to dismiss them from the service. We have many applicants who are willing to replace them.”