AGLIPAY DISMISSES 23 CL COPS FOUND USING DRUGS

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga - Police Deputy Director-General Edgar B.
Aglipay ordered here yesterday the summary dismissal from the service
of 23 policemen in Central Luzon found positive of using illegal drugs.

Aglipay arrived here yesterday for a briefing on the police drive
against illegal drugs trafficking. He gathered during the briefing
that at least 148 barangays in Central Luzon have been adversely
affected by illegal drugs operations.

A briefing presented by Sr. Supt. Amado Paneda, deputy police regional
director for administration, showed that Tarlac topped in the number
of barangays affected by illegal drugs trafficking with 49. It was
followed by Bulacan with 34 barangays and Pampanga with 27 barangays.
In Nueva Ecija, there were 18 affected barangays; Zambales, 11;
Angeles, four; and Olongapo City, three.

Chief Supt. Vidal Querol, Central Luzon police regional director,
reported to Aglipay that of the 798 police personnel who had undergone
drug testing, 27 were found positive of using illegal drugs.

Four of them have been discharged from the service and the rest were
facing suspension pending result of summary dismissal
proceedings.

At yesterday's briefing, Aglipay ordered the immediate dismissal of
the 23 policemen who were about to be suspended by Camp Olivas authorites.

Aglipay directed Central Luzon police authorities to further intensify
their drive against illegal drugs trafficking and to aim for drug-free
barangays all over the region.

Aglipay is the commander of the police Anti-Illegal Drugs Special
Operations Task Force which has been tasked to eradicate illegal drugs
trafficking in the country.