Aklan policemen take mandatory drug tests
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - Some 500 policemen assigned at the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) underwent a mandatory drug testing for the intensive anti-narcotics campaign among its ranks last Friday here.
Senior Supt. Benigno Durana Jr, acting police director, said all members of the PNP – uniformed and non-uniformed - are require to undergo mandatory drug testing uniformed starting with the Provincial Mobile Groups, the 18 police stations and the Police Provincial Office.
“The policemen subjected themselves to drug test in compliance with the government-regulated mandatory drug testing,” he added.
Crime Laboratory regional chief Supt. Rhea Villavicencio and Chief Insp. Georby Manuel of the Aklan's Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) conducted the drug tests provided for under the National Police Commission Memorandum Circulars 94-011 and 99-008, which authorized them to conduct mandatory drug tests on all its personnel and impose administrative sanctions against them if found positive of illegal drugs.
She said that as mandated by Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, all law enforcement personnel are now being subjected to mandatory drug tests.
“The law specifically requires personnel of police, military and other law enforcement agencies to take a drug test every year to set the example for the citizenry,” she added.
Those policemen test positive for prohibited drugs will be administratively charged, which is tantamount to dismissal, Manuel added.