Twenty-seven of the 34 members of the police force in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental, were subjected to a surprise illegal drug testing Saturday led by provincial police director, Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas.

The drug testing, conducted by the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory, headed by Senior Insp. Josephine Llena, followed the recent arrest of PO2 Victorio Rizaldo, a Bayawan City policeman believed to be involved in the illegal drugs trade.

Rizaldo, along with civilian Florante Bayabado Taburada and Bayawan City police auxiliary Renwil Cadungog, were arrested last week during a drug buy-bust operation that yielded two packets of suspected shabu and a cache of firearms, ammunition and explosives.

Bayawan City police chief, Senior Insp. Errol Garchitorena, was among the 27 police personnel who took the drug tests while seven others still take it this week, Lawas said. They had missed Saturday’s drug testing because they were on duty in distant detachments, he added.

Lawas said the random drug testing is part of a nationwide mandate under the PNP’s Integrated Transformation Program.

A few months ago, two police personnel assigned in Tanjay City had tested positive of shabu, and are now under investigation by the PNP Regional Office 7 in Cebu City.

Rizaldo was also subjected to drug testing immediately after his arrest last week, Lawas said.

Results of the drug tests are expected to be released by the PNP crime laboratory this week, he added.*JFP

back to top