Mandaluyong police chief tests positive for drug use

(Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this article had the byline of a Rappler reporter. This has been corrected.)

MANILA, Philippines – Mandaluyong police chief Colonel Cesar Gerente was relieved from his post after testing positive for illegal drugs, according to the Eastern Police District.

Gerente’s positive result came after a random drug test among top officials of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on August 24. 

Colonel Mary Grace Madayag replaced Gerente as Mandaluyong chief, according to the Philippine News Agency.

In a text message to Rappler on Friday, September 1, NCRPO spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Eunice Salas said that Gerente was transferred to the Administrative and Holding Section in their regional headquarters. 

Eastern Police District chief Brigadier General Wilson Asueta said that Gerente was given 15 days to explain the drug result. 

Rappler asked the NCRPO if Gerente had already submitted a written explanation but it said that it couldn’t confirm this yet.

The incident prompted the NCRPO to require all 497 personnel of the Mandaluyong City Police Station to submit to a drug test on August 28. All yielded negative results.

NCRPO director Brigadier General Jose Melencio Nartatez, meanwhile, said he will not tolerate scalawags.

“I will not tolerate scalawags in NCRPO especially those who are involved in illegal drug activities, you will be at your right place. NCRPO continues to clean up our ranks for honest and honorable public service,” Nartatez said.

Apart from Gerente, three other cops in Metro Manila tested positive for drug use in August, according to Salas. 

In a phone interview with Rappler, Salas said the two cops were from the regional headquarters, while the other one was from the Manila Police District. Their ranks and names, however, were not disclosed. 

While waiting for their explanation within 15 days, she said that these three cops would undergo a pre-charge investigation. Following this, they will face summary dismissal proceedings. 

Several other controversies have hounded the Metro Manila police in August.

On August 30, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) chief Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III tendered his resignation after he organized a press conference with dismissed QCPD cop Wilfredo Gonzales. 

Based on the viral video taken on August 8, a cyclist was traversing Quezon Avenue near Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City when Gonzales’ car suddenly stopped in the bike lane. This resulted in the cyclist hitting the car.

This prompted Gonzales to bring out his gun and point it to the cyclist.

Another traffic altercation happened on August 25, involving an alleged military officer and a police officer.  – With reports from James Patrick Cruz/Rappler.com