UNANNOUNCED. A total of 335 personnel based at the headquarters of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 (Western Visayas) in Camp Delgado in Iloilo City submit to a surprise drug test on Tuesday (July 4, 2023). Maj. Mary Grace Borio, PRO-6 spokesperson, said the results would be released within the week. (Photo courtesy of Regional Public Information Office)
ILOILO CITY – A total of 335 uniformed and non-uniformed personnel at the headquarters of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 (Western Visayas) in Camp Delgado in Iloilo City submitted to a surprise drug test on Tuesday.
“Our regional director, Brig. Gen. Sidney N. Villaflor, wanted 100 percent of the personnel in Region 6 to undergo the drug test to check whether or not they are engaged in illegal drugs,” Maj. Mary Grace Borio, PRO-6 spokesperson, said in an interview.
About 5,000 drug testing kits were procured by the regional headquarters using the Philippine Anti-Drug Strategy (PADS) fund, she added.
Results are expected within the week and anyone confirmed positive for drugs will have to face the highest penalty of dismissal, Borio said.
“According to our regional director, a police officer who engages in illegal drugs has no moral ascendancy to go after drug personalities and has no place in the PNP (Philippine National Police) organization,” she added.
Of the 335 personnel, 30 are police commissioned officers, 255 are police non-commissioned officers, and 50 are non-uniformed personnel.
She said the drug tests initially targeted 400 personnel but others are on leave or schooling.
Borio added that the test kits would be downloaded to other units outside of the regional headquarters for the surprise drug test.
She also echoed the message of Villaflor for police officers to “be true to what you have sworn, to serve and protect the people” and set an example to people “by not engaging in illegal drugs.” (PNA)
