ABOUT 150 of the 430 policemen and job order personnel of the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) were subjected to a surprise drug test on Monday, March 2, 2020.

MCPO City Director, Police Colonel Jonathan Abella said the surprise drug test is part of their internal cleansing to ensure that the police personnel and staff serving at the MCPO and its police stations are drug-free.

Abella aimed to have all 430 police personnel and job order staff undergo the surprise drug test.

The city director said the Philippine National Police have a policy that 25 percent of its staff must undergo the surprise drug test, but he aims for 100 percent this quarter.

There are more or less 430 police personnel under the MCPO.

Abella said he will only give a week for the police personnel and job order staff including the drivers at the police station to undergo the drug test.

Those who cannot submit themselves to take the drug test will be asked to explain, Abella said.

“If they are not around today then they still have tomorrow and the rest of the week to do that. I really aim for 100 percent,” Abella said.

No cases

Abella said since he assumed office as the city director in July 2019, there have still been no reported cases of MCPO personnel testing positive for drugs.

As instructed by Police Regional Office Director Brigadier General Albert Ferro, Abella said personnel who test positive will automatically be relieved from their posts and face an investigation by the regional office. (KFD)