Pubdate: Sun, 23 Jan 2005
Source: Manila Bulletin (The Philippines)
Contact:  http://www.mb.com.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/906
Author: Elena L. Aben
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

COPS WARNED OF DISMISSAL IF TESTED POSITIVE
FOR DRUG USE

Interior and Local Government Secretary Angelo Reyes, concurrent chair of 
the National Police Commission (Napolcom), has warned that starting this 
year, any member of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who will test 
positive for use of illegal drugs will be immediately dismissed from the 
service

This, he said, is what have been agreed upon by PNP chief, Director General 
Edgardo Aglipay and Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force 
(AIDSOTF) chief, Deputy Director General Ricardo de Leon.

In his report to Reyes, who is also chair of the Dangerous Drugs Board 
(DDB), De Leon said that he and the PNP chief have agreed that the 
concerned police officer will first be suspended from the service. As soon 
as a confirmatory test will prove that he is indeed a drug user, he will be 
fired from the service and stripped of any government benefits due him for 
grave misconduct.

According to the AIDSOTF commander, the PNP chief also directed him to 
review the cases of some members of the 114,000-strong police force, 
particularly those assigned in anti-narcotics units who were dismissed for 
violation of the anti-dangerous drugs law but managed to get back into the 
service.

"We will be conducting an inventory of these policemen in coordination with 
the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)," De Leon said.

De Leon went on to say that he and Aglipay have also agreed to implement a 
one-strike and you're out policy when it comes to use of illegal drugs 
among policemen. "Once a policeman tests positive for use of illegal 
substance such as shabu or marijuana, he will immediately undergo 
rehabilitation and summary dismissal proceedings," he said.

"There is no place for addict policemen in the PNP. This is part of our 
program to rid the organization of misfits and scalawags," he stressed.

The AIDSOTF commander said that in coordination with the PDEA, they will be 
reviewing the cases of policemen dismissed from the service for involvement 
in illegal drug activities - either as protectors, traffickers or users - 
since the PNP was created in 1991.

He added they would be checking on the background of policemen notorious 
for involvement in illegal drug activities but have managed to remain in 
the service despite grave criminal and administrative cases slapped against 
them in the past.
- ---