7 Central Visayas Cops Who Tested Positive for Illegal Drugs Could Lose Jobs, says PRO-7 Official

Chief Superintendent Noli Taliño, Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 acting director, said seven police personnel in Central Visayas could lose their jobs for testing positive of illegal drugs.

Surprise drug tests were conducted on some 4,000 of the more than 7,000 police personnel in the region.

The seven police personnel who tested positive for illegal drugs will undergo confirmatory tests.

Taliño said they have been relieved of their posts and will face administrative investigations with the maximum penalty of dismissal from the service.

As this developed, PRO 7 Deputy Director for Operations Rey Lyndon Lawas said 55 police station chiefs in Central Visayas might face relief within this week for failing to arrest half of the top 10 drug personalities in their jurisdictions.

Lawas said initially, 111 out of 126 police stations in Central Visayas failed to arrest majority of drug personalities.

But the number was reduced to 55 after Taliño issued an ultimatum to poor performing police chiefs in the region.

Lawas also said some PRO 7 officials underwent reshuffling so they can familiarize with how other offices operate.

Supt. Julian Entoma is now chief of Regional Intelligence Division, replacing Supt. Rex Derilo, who now heads the Regional Logistics and Research Development Division.

The Regional Police Community Relations Division is now headed by Supt. Alet Virtucio. Senior Supt. Marciano Batiancela is chief of the Regional Operations and Plans Division, while Supt. Clarito Baja heads the Regional Headquarters Support Group.

The Regional Personnel and Human Resource Development Division and Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division are still headed by Senior Supt. Renato Dugan and Supt. Henry Biñas, respectively. (PNA) LAP/EB/EDS