The Northern Police District (NPD) yesterday initiated surprise drug tests for some 253 policemen from the drug enforcement and intelligence units of the police stations in Camanava (Caloocan-Malabon-Navotas-Valenzuela) area.

The random drug testing held at the district headquarters, according to NPD director Chief Supt. Amando Clifton Empiso, was part of the continuing internal cleansing ordered by Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde.

It was administered to a total of 253 officers and policemen who were all operatives of the district and four city police stations’ Drug Enforcement Units, Station Intelligence Branches and Special Operations Units, the Daily Tribune was told.

He, however, clarified the random drug test conducted by elements of the Scene of the Crime Operatives (Soco) will also be administered for the remaining 3,808 policemen in Camanava area, including those in the lower units under his command.

Before the conduct of drug test, Empiso told all the police officers and men present during the command conference he would strictly implement internal cleansing and anyone who will be found guilty of engaging in any illegal activities will have to suffer the consequences.

“Ayoko lang na may marinig akong pinawalan o binangketa ninyo nahuling drug suspect in exchange for anything dahil may paglalagyan kayo,” Empiso warned his men.

The NPD chief said policemen who will be found positive for using drugs, especially if the confirmatory test yields positive result, will definitely be dismissed from the service aside from facing criminal charges.

Earlier, Albayalde had ordered all the district directors to conduct a regular random drug test following the arrest of PO3 Lyn Tubig, a member of the Special Action Force (SAF) while sniffing shabu in Taguig City last June 2.

She was dismissed from the service and currently facing criminal charges after she was tested positive for drugs.

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