AFP sacks 13 civilian militias, 1 soldier over illegal drugs

CAGAYAN, Philippines – The military here sacked 13 civilian militias and one soldier under its command after they tested positive for using shabu. 

Brigadier General Paul Atal, the newly installed commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ 5th infantry division, said 13 members of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (Cafgu) and one soldier tested positive for illegal drugs after a random test.

The Cafgu, composed of civilian militias, is assisting the military in its counter-insurgency campaign.

The still unnamed 14 military personnel, according to Atal, belong to the first of a few batches of militias and soldiers who will be subjected to random drug testing.

“This is continuous drug testing. This is random only because I heard that it is very expensive if everybody [will undergo one]… What is important is we identify who are using illegal drugs,” Atal told ABS-CBN News Isabela in a mix of Filipino and English.

The 5th Infantry Division has supervision over military camps in the Ilocos, Cagayan Valley and Cordillera regions, where communist guerrillas still hold some sway.

After his appointment here on August 22, Atal formed a task force against illegal drugs in the division.

The Duterte administration has made the war on drugs its priority. – Raymon Dullana