Cop who tested positive for drug use goes awol

A PERSONNEL of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) who was recently tested positive for illegal drug use had been absent without official leave (Awol) since Monday, September 10.

This was confirmed by Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao, director of Police Regional Office (PRO)–Western Visayas during his visit in Bacolod City on Tuesday, September 11.

Bulalacao said he was able to talk to the cop, who has a rank of Police Officer 1, last week and asked him about his reason for reportedly using illegal drugs.

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However, the policeman denied the allegation, but Bulalacao claimed it can be seen on his face that he is into it.

"Nalungkot ako dahil two years na itong intensified campaign natin against illegal drugs pero meron pa ding iba na involve (I am sad because it's been two years since we intensified our campaign against illegal drugs but there are still those who are still involved)," Bulalacao said.

Bulalacao said the policeman has 15 days to counter the allegations on him through a confirmatory test.

He also said the police officer will be facing administrative charges if he fails to comply with the confirmatory test, after which, an ex parte investigation will follow.

But he went awol, which only shows he is really involved in the illegal activity, the PRO-Western Visayas chief added.

Bulalacao refused to name the police officer as the investigation is still ongoing.

The policeman, a former member of Police Station 7, was among the 71 BCPO personnel who underwent a random drug test at the headquarters on July 18.

Following his relief from Police Station 7, he was transferred to Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit (RPHAU) in Iloilo City.

Meanwhile, Bulalacao continues to warn those uniformed men to never get involved in any illegal activity, particularly on illegal drugs.

Of the 12,000 policemen in the region, he was the only one who was tested positive during my stint, Bulalacao said, adding that it is considered minor compared to the good performing policemen.

"Kakaiba. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit meron pa ding ganun, (Unusual. I still don't understand why do they still exist)," Bulalacao said. (GYM)