Mandaue police officers undergo surprise drug test

ABOUT 300 police officers at the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) underwent a surprise drug test on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021, as part of their internal cleansing.

The officers from the CrimeLab of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 conducted the surprise drug test.

According to Pcol. Jonathan Abella, the city director of MCPO, it is one of their yearly requirements that 100 percent of the police officers must undergo a drug test.

There are 430 police officers in the MCPO and about 300 have undergone the surprise drug test which Abella also took.

Abella said the other 100 police officers had been subjected to another surprise drug test in January.

He said he was grateful that no one tested positive in the surprise drug test last month.

There are also other police officers who have not participated in the surprise drug test as they are still under isolation after having tested positive for Covid-19.

However, Abella said after they recover from the disease, they are expected to undergo a surprise drug test.

In case any officer will test positive in the drug test, Abella said theu will be subjected to a confirmatory test and if the result is still positive, an investigation will be conducted.

“It’s up to them to clear their name why they are involved in illegal drugs but automatically, they are subject to investigation,” Abella said.

Abella said it will still follow due process and if it is proven that the officer is involved in illegal drugs, he will be dismissed from hispost, based on the directive from the Philippine National Police Chief.

As of press time, the results of the drug test have yet to be released.

On the other hand, aside from the annual police requirement to be subjected to a drug test, Abella said they also conduct a monthly surprise drug test for the police officers under the Drug Enforcement Unit in their office. (KFD)