SUSPICION TO SERVE AS BASIS FOR DRUG TEST

Lacking funds to regularly test its 3,000 members for drugs, the
Western Police District (WPD) will be limiting drug tests to Manila
lawmen suspected of using banned substances.

WPD spokesperson Chief Insp. Gerry Agunod disclosed this as the Pasig
City police released the names of three of its officers who tested
positive for illegal drug use.

Sr. Supt. Ernesto Catungal, Pasig police director, identified the
three policemen as SPO4 Giovanni Agas, PO3 Gerardo Canoza and PO1
Ludovico Carbon Jr.

The three tested positive for using illegal drugs in an initial
screening and then again in a confirmatory testing, Catungal said.

However, Agas contested the findings, saying he was on medication when
the tests were done and this could have affected the results.

According to Agunod, station commanders and unit chiefs at the WPD
have been told to watch out for policemen who may be using banned
substances and have these investigated.

"The checks are done quietly and unannounced so that any drug-using
policeman would not have the opportunity to hide or disguise his
condition," he said.

Agunod stressed that a policeman would be tested for drugs only after
statements from a policeman's co-workers, neighbors or family
attesting to his drug use would have been gathered.

Sometimes, he said, information volunteered by neighbors about a
policeman's alleged drug use could be used as a basis for a drug test.

For his part, SPO2 Antonio Emmanuel, head of the Manila's Finest
Brotherhood Association, said that drug tests were not always reliable.

Instead, he said, vigilance among policemen was the best way to catch
drug-users in uniform.