A POLICE Officer 1 from Compostela Police Station in northern Cebu tested positive of illegal drug use during a surprise drug test conducted by Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Office on Wednesday, March 21.

Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Edgar Alan Okubo has ordered the relief of the police officer pending investigation.

The rookie policeman will be assigned in Provincial Holding and Accounting Unit.

The urine sample will be submitted for a confirmatory test.

Illegal drug use is a grave offense and dismissal from the service is the highest penalty that can be implemented against an erring cop.

Okubo said the surprise drug tests are part of the police's campaign to cleanse its ranks. (KAL/SunStar Cebu)