A POLICE official in Central Luzon was ordered dismissed from post after he tested positive for illegal drugs use, Philippine National Police Chief Debold Sinas said on Wednesday, March 3, 2021.
Efren Garcia, chief of the Legal Affairs Division of the Central Luzon Regional Internal Affairs Service, was found positive for methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) during a drug test and confirmatory drug testing on February 24 and 26, 2020, respectively.
Garcia, who was relieved from post to avoid influencing the investigation against him, was charged with grave misconduct. He will undergo pre-charge investigation and summary dismissal proceedings.
Sinas earlier ordered police commanders to ensure the dismissal of policemen who tested positive for illegal drugs use within two months.
“Let me reiterate that there is no place in the PNP for any personnel who is into illegal drugs, whether for recreational or habitual use,” he said.
Meanwhile, a dismissed policeman was arrested in Paco, Manila on Tuesday afternoon, March 2, 2021, for carnapping and highway robbery.
Sinas identified the arrested suspect as Jhovani Chua, a member of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Regional Headquarters Support Unit who was dismissed from the service in 2011.
He was arrested based on a warrant issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.
In March 2011, Chua and his cohorts, including a certain Amiel Arceo, stole a cargo truck carrying P600,000 worth of canned juice in Dagat-dagatan, Caloocan City. They killed the truck driver and his helper.
In June 2011, Chua and a certain Joel Samonte stole a van loaded with bathroom products worth P380,000 in Barangay N.S. Amoranto, Quezon City.
Police are still looking for the cohorts of Chua. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)