Sta. Barbara cops 'buena mano' in surprise drug test
Men and women of the Sta. Barbara Police Office were the initial subjects of a random drug testing ordered by Chief Superintendent Isagani Cuevas, Police Regional Office 6 Director.
Implemented by the Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO), Senior Supt. Ricardo Dela Paz gathered the Sta. Barbara police force initially for a seminar.
The surprise drug testing was Chief Supt. Cuevas's idea in order to ensure a drug-free police force in the region. It was not immediately clear why Sta. Barbara was the apparent first choice however IPPO headquarters is also located here.
Test results are expected next week on some 200 tests conducted that will ascertain marijuana and/or Shabu use. Both illegal drugs stand to be the most common in Iloilo's persisting illegal drug trade and proliferation.
Reports said that a positive result will immediately translate into summary termination and dismissal from service.
To recall, issues of drug use and abuse hounded the local police hierarchy alongside rumors of unidentified police officers here as protectors. The suspicions remain unvalidated with no charges nor solid leads pursued by local police authorities thus far.