By Martin A. Sadongdong
The Philippine National Police (PNP) released on Saturday a report showing that close to 300 low-ranked policemen, mostly assigned in Metro Manila are users of illegal drugs.
PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa
The report of the PNP-Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) covered the period from July, 2016, to December, 2017, where about 283 cops were found to be using illegal drugs.
In a text message Saturday, PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Dionardo Carlos said this is the reason they are implementing measures to strictly monitor the police force through random drug testing.
"We are optimistic that the PNP will be in a better shape compared to 2016," he said.
Of the 283, 119 are Police Officers 1 (PO1); 68 are PO2s while 57 are PO3s.
Twenty-three Senior Police Officers 1 (SPO1), 10 SPO2s and two SPO3s were also discovered to be using illegal substances. Two Inspectors, a Chief Inspector and a Superintendent were also identified as narco-cops.
Eight non-uniformed personnel were also found positive for using illegal drugs.
According to the report, Metro Manila topped the list with 39; Southern Tagalog – 34; while Zamboanga Peninsula listed 28.
The PNP said 221 narco-cops have already been recommended for dismissal while the rest are still being investigated.
PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa had earlier said he would continue to weed out the rogue cops from PNP until the good ones are left.
"I don't care if only a few will remain as long as they are good cops. I will make sure all of you (rogue cops) will be dismissed from service," he said.
PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa
The report of the PNP-Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) covered the period from July, 2016, to December, 2017, where about 283 cops were found to be using illegal drugs.
In a text message Saturday, PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Dionardo Carlos said this is the reason they are implementing measures to strictly monitor the police force through random drug testing.
"We are optimistic that the PNP will be in a better shape compared to 2016," he said.
Of the 283, 119 are Police Officers 1 (PO1); 68 are PO2s while 57 are PO3s.
Twenty-three Senior Police Officers 1 (SPO1), 10 SPO2s and two SPO3s were also discovered to be using illegal substances. Two Inspectors, a Chief Inspector and a Superintendent were also identified as narco-cops.
Eight non-uniformed personnel were also found positive for using illegal drugs.
According to the report, Metro Manila topped the list with 39; Southern Tagalog – 34; while Zamboanga Peninsula listed 28.
The PNP said 221 narco-cops have already been recommended for dismissal while the rest are still being investigated.
PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa had earlier said he would continue to weed out the rogue cops from PNP until the good ones are left.
"I don't care if only a few will remain as long as they are good cops. I will make sure all of you (rogue cops) will be dismissed from service," he said.