31 cops positive for drug use; 10 arrested in Region 9

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1052549
• Wednesday, October 31, 2018

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr (PNA)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Thirty-one policemen tested positive for illegal drug use while 10 others were arrested in anti-drug operations since January this year here in the region, a top police official said Tuesday.

Chief Supt. Emmanuel Luis Licup, Police Regional Office-9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) director, said the random drug testing for its personnel is part of their internal cleansing.

Licup said 15 of the 31 policemen who tested positive for drug use have been dismissed from the service, translating to a "50 percent dismissal rate."

Two of the police personnel found positive for drug use availed of optional retirement before they were formally charged; five with approved decisions and waiting for the implementing order; seven under summary hearing proceedings; and, two are under pre-charge evaluation.

“They (the two) are at the early stage of the investigation. They have to be evaluated,” Licup explained.

Twenty-one of the 31 found positive for illegal drug use are from the Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) while the rest are from the other provincial commands such as Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay as well as Isabela City Police Station.

Licup said the 10 erring policemen were collared in separate anti-drug operations since January this year in the region. Six of them belong to the ZCPO while the rest from the other parts of Zamboanga Peninsula.

“They were arrested for complicity with the drug lord. They were involved, and they were charged,” he added.

Licup sternly warned his personnel “not to get involved in shenanigans like this (drug use). I will be harsh in discharging my functions as the disciplining authority."