DUTERTE WANTS 3 COPS HOOKED ON SHABU DISMISSED

DAVAO CITY-Mayor Rodrigo Duterte strongly pushes for the immediate
dismissal of three policemen who tested positive for substance abuse
in a random urine test conducted among Region XI police officers.

Duterte vehemently objected the recommendation of the Police Regional
Appellate Board (PRAB) to reinstate to the service of PO2 Ritchie
Mendoza, PO2 Mario Zata and PO1 Gilbert Parcon. The three were found
positive of using metaphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) in an earlier
random test.

"They have no right to be in the service. If the appellate board's
decision centers on the non-commission of a crime, it would be a valid
opinion. But they were found positive in their urine tests. They were
shabu users. I disagree to give them a chance. We do not need
policemen who are drug users," the mayor said.

The three erring policemen were first ordered dismissed by Southern
Mindanao regional police head Chief Superintendent Isidro Lapena.

"But apparently they brought their case before the PRAB that has ruled
in their favor due to a technicality. However, I still maintain that
they should not be reinstated," Lapena said.

Although the three policemen were assigned to the Southern Mindanao
regional police command, Duterte said he would still work on blocking
their reinstatement into the service in his capacity as chairman of
the regional peace and order council.