Personnel of the Tagbilaran City police underwent surprise drug testing yesterday afternoon as part of the local police’s efforts to clean up its ranks.

According to city police chief Supt. George Vale, policemen who test positive for illegal drugs will be charged with administrative cases and face dismissal from service.

Results of the drug testing will be released three days from yesterday, Vale said.

Those who fail the initial drug test will be subjected to a confirmatory test before further investigation is conducted.

The initiative was led by Vale who was the first to submit his urine sample to members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Crime Laboratory at the Bohol Provincial Police Office.

Vale said that the surprise drug testing was conducted in line with the intensified drive of the national police under new PNP chief, Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, to sift out drug users in the police force.

Meanwhile, the BPPO has also started to randomly test policemen in the province for illegal drug use.

According to Supt. Ricky Delilis, Bohol police public information officer, some police personnel in the province are already being monitored by the BPPO due to their alleged involvement in drug activities.

In the province-wide random drug testing, one cop has already tested positive for drug use.

Investigation on the unidentified cop with a rank of PO2 is pending the results of the confirmatory test conducted on the police officer. (with reports from Rey Tutas)