113 soldiers test positive for illegal drugs

MANILA, Philippines – At least 113 soldiers tested positive for illegal drugs, the Philippine military said on Monday, January 20.

The bulk – 70 of them – comes from the Army, which dominates the 120,000-strong military. The rest are assigned to the Navy, in particular the Marines (18); the Philippine Air Force (12); and the General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo (13).

A total of 20,000 soldiers were targetted in the random drug-testing – 8,000 for the Army, 4,000 for the Navy, 4,000 for the Philippine Air Force, and 4,000 from the rest of the units.

The number from the Army could increase, however. It has so far only tested 83.6% of its 8,000 target sample.

Young soldiers appear to be more susceptible to illegal drugs, the military findings showed. A small majority of 51% come the ranks of Private First Class, Airman 2nd Class, or Seaman 2nd Class.

Another 26% are Corporal, Airman 1st Class, or Seaman 1st Class. The rest have the ranks of staff sergeant, sergeant, petty officer 3, petty officer 2, private, airman, seaman.

The military’s random drug tests identify methamphetamines and cannabis from urine samples submitted by the soldiers.

Soldiers who tested positive are not immediately dismissed. They are brought to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for “confirmatory tests.” Once PDEA confirms the results, the soldiers will undergo an investigation.

The military will step up its anti-drug campaign in 2014, according to military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala. – Carmela Fonbuena/Rappler.com