GENERAL SANTOS CITY, (PNA) — Eleven policemen in Region 12 have been dismissed from active service in the last nine months for using illegal drugs and involvement in various illegal drug-related activities in the area.
Chief Supt. Charles Calima Jr., Region 12 police director, said Monday the dismissed policemen had all tested positive of using illegal drugs, specifically of metamphetamine hydrocoloride or shabu, in mandatory tests facilitated by the regional police office.
“This part of our continuing efforts to cleanse our ranks of lawless elements who have been disguising as police officers,” he said in a radio interview.
In dismissing the 11 policemen, the police official said they no longer filed criminal charges against them but took a faster route based on the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) regulations.
The PNP’s policy guidelines regarding use of prohibited drugs has set the outright dismissal from service of any police personnel who will be tested positive of drug use, he said.
“If a policeman turns out positive of using illegal drugs, he or she already failed to meet the continuing requirement of being a member of the PNP — that is to remain as drug-free. This also means we can immediately issue separation orders against them,” the official explained.
Region 12, which is also known as the Soccsksargen Region, comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapwan and Cotabato.
In February, two policemen assigned in this city were subjected to dismissal proceedings after figuring in separate drug buy-bust operations conducted by the regional police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Region 12.
Six more police personnel were endorsed for dismissal by the regional police in July after turning positive of using illegal drugs during a random drug test.
The erring policemen were among the initial batch of 80 police personnel in Region 12 who were subjected to drug testing as mandated by the Philippine National Police (PNP) central office.