PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde assured on Monday, November 5, that police officers will follow the rule of law in conducting anti-illegal drugs operations in higher education institutions (HEIs).

Albayalde said the conduct of drug operations in universities will not be like the usual drug bust.

He said the PNP will coordinate first with the faculty and HEI administrators as well as their security managers before the conduct of such operation.

“’Yung conduct of operation will be based on the information that we will be receiving. Wala naman tayong makuha na information that there is illegal activity going on in the university then wala naman tayo sigurong dahilan para mag-operate doon,” he said.

“We want to assure the public that human rights is deeply embedded in the system of the PNP, that we can promise and we can assure the public,” he added.

He said they have yet to receive any report on alleged illegal drugs operations in colleges and universities.

In a Commission on Higher Education (Ched) memorandum dated October 26, the agency allows the PNP and any authorized law enforcement agency to carry out any legitimate drug-related operation within the school premises provided that coordination is made with the concerned HEIs.

The Ched also directed all public and private HEIs to conduct random drug testing on college students starting school year 2019-2020 and to include drug testing as part of their admission and retention policies. (SunStar Philippines)