Negros Occidental cop disarmed for refusing drug test

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – A policeman in Negros Occidental was disarmed after refusing to undergo a random drug test on Friday afternoon, June 10.

Police Officer 1 Richard Suarez of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) declined to submit himself to a drug test at the provincial police headquarters in Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr.

Senior Superintendent William Señoron, acting NOPPO director, said Suarez faces administrative charges for insubordination. Suarez also refused to undergo last year’s drug test.

“We presumed that he’s into illegal drugs when he refused to undergo the drug test because even his alibis were inconsistent,” Señoron said.

He added that Suarez can be declared as unfit for police service because undergoing a drug test is a continuing police requirement.

The NOPPO head said Suarez can still report for duty even if he is disarmed because he has not been suspended.

Apart from the provincial police, a surprise drug test was also conducted on more than 100 personnel of the Negros Island regional headquarters on Friday.

Chief Superintendent Conrado Capa, director of the police regional office, said he wanted to “set the tone” in fighting illegal drugs by cleansing their own ranks.

“The police should [be above] suspicion. We are doing this to show the people that we do not want drug users among our ranks. So the only way we can find out is through drug test,” Capa said.

He added that those who will be found positive for using illegal drugs will be “disarmed, investigated, pre-charged, and summarily dismissed from service.”

Capa also directed provincial and city directors in the region to come up with a list of policemen who are allegedly involved in illegal drug activities. He said he is expecting the report next week, in time for the regional drug summit on June 27.

Hunt vs pushers

Meanwhile, Capa vowed that the police will start “hunting down” all drug pushers and dealers in the Negros Island Region after President-elect Rodrigo Duterte assumes the presidency.

“On July 1, the hunt begins. The whole police force, the whole barangay, the whole community (will run after these drug pushers),” he stressed.

Capa said he already directed his men to prepare the “target list” of drug personalities in their areas of assignment. “I instructed all chiefs of police to meet all the barangay captains in their respective towns and cities to come up with the list of drug pushers in the area.”

Capa warned the criminals that their days are numbered.

“If they (drug pushers and dealers) fight back, they will die because my only rule of engagement is to survive the engagement and I do not want a dead policeman. The pusher should die, and not us. So, that is my only rule – survive the engagement,” Capa stressed. – Rappler.com