Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 22) — The Philippine National Police is still geared towards removing “misfits and scalawags” among its ranks, including those who have tested positive for illegal drugs, the agency’s spokesperson said Tuesday.
During the Laging Handa virtual briefing, PNP spokesperson PBGen. Ildebrandi Usana addressed a recent report that police officers found to have used illegal drugs increased by 42.8% this year.
“Kung titingan niyo po (If you will look at it)…we really are addressing police officers who are into illegal drugs. We do not condone this,” Usana said.
Usana stressed that officers proven to have tested positive will immediately be dismissed.
“Clear ang instructions ni Chief PNP, the moment they are found positive, they will be dismissed,” he said. “Whether or not there is an increase or decrease, we are geared towards improving our services by removing the misfits and scalawags especially sa anti-illegal drugs campaign.”
In its recent report, The Philippine Star cited data from the PNP Internal Affairs Service which showed 50 policemen were found to have used illegal drugs, compared to 35 in 2019.
The IAS has so far resolved 459 of 471 cases involving police officers and non-uniformed personnel who used illegal drugs since 2016.
In 2019, former PNP chief Police Gen. Oscar Albayalde stepped down from office after he was implicated for blocking the dismissal of 13 policemen over an irregular drug raid in Pampanga that happened under his watch as provincial police chief in 2013.
In November, new PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas committed to keep tabs on narco cops and “ninja cops,” or those tagged in looting or reselling illegal drugs, as part of the PNP’s strengthened campaign against narcotics.
