Pubdate: Sun, 25 Jul 2004
Source: Philippine Star (Philippines)
Copyright: PhilSTAR Daily Inc. 2004
Contact:  http://www.philstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/622
Author: Pete Laude, The Philippine Star
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?236 (Corruption - Outside U.S.)

NPD ISSUES ULTIMATUM TO COPS HOOKED ON DRUGS

Northern Police District (NPD) director Chief Superintendent Marcelino 
Franco Jr. has given only two options to cops hooked on illegal drugs -- 
submit themselves for rehabilitation or be dismissed from the police service.

Franco made the pronouncement after NPD personnel, randomly picked by the 
district crime laboratory staff, underwent a surprise drug test on Friday 
at the NPD Headquarters in Caloocan City.

Franco, who also submitted himself for testing, however, pointed out that 
the police organization, his office in particular, is always willing to 
give "misguided" cops a chance to renew their lives.

Senior Inspector Albert Arturo, the crime lab chemist, said that the result 
of Friday's drug tests will be released after two to three days.

"We need to examine again those who will be found positive for illegal drug 
use to make sure that the findings are correct," Arturo told The STAR.

As part of its fight against illegal drugs, the District Anti-Illegal 
Drugs-Special Operations Group, headed by Chief Inspector Rafael Santiago, 
is now preparing a draft proposal it would submit to government agencies to 
make owners of warehouses used in illegal drug operations equally liable 
with their tenants.

"That is part of our 'target hardening measure' in our fight against the 
illegal drug trade," Franco stressed.

He noted that on several occasions, owners of warehouses suspected to be in 
cahoots with illegal drug personalities, easily get off the hook just by 
showing a contract of lease to the authorities, claiming that they don't 
have control on the activities of their lessee.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager