PNP CONDUCTS SURPRISE DRUG TEST

A surprise drug test was ordered by Bacolod police director, Senior
Supt. Vicente Ponteras, for the city police yesterday.

Ponteras directed the random testing to policemen who were not covered
in previous test initiated by former police director Mario Avenido.

Twenty policemen from 10 police precincts, the City Mobile Group and
the Traffic Management Unit, were subjected to a surprise drug
testing, in compliance with the directive of the higher PNP command
pursuant to the requirement of Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force.

Sixty percent of the total BCPO workforce had already gone through
drug testing.

Ponteras, who also underwent a similar test with his BCPO staff, said
results of the test will be released by the BCPO Crime Laboratory in
two days.

Once a policeman is found positive for the use of drugs, the same
urine sample will be reconfirmed through the conduct of the
Re-confirmatory Drug Testing. If the sample is found positive again,
the cop will be sanctioned, Ponteras added.

The random drug test will be held every Monday and the names of the
policemen who will be found positive will be furnished to the media,
Ponteras said.

PO2 Harold Villagracia, of Police Precinct 7, was ordered dismissed
from service while PO3 Edwin Yulo, of the Headquarters Security Group,
was dropped from rolls, for having tested positive for illegal
substance in previous tests held.