NINETY-SIX personnel of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Central Visayas underwent surprise mandatory drug test on Wednesday, August 22, and none of them tested positive for drug use.
The drug test was ordered by PDEA-Central Visayas Wardley Getalla as part of the agency's internal cleansing and regular functions.
It came a day after President Rodrigo Duterte said in an event of municipal mayors in the Visayas that almost all of the police and PDEA agents, including the officials, are drug addicts.
All PDEA-Central Visayas personnel, including those in the provincial offices of Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor, immediately reported to the regional office for the screening, which was facilitated by the PDEA-Central Visayas Laboratory Service.
Personnel who attended official functions such as court duties and seminars were ordered to proceed to the nearest PDEA laboratory and undergo the same procedure.
PDEA information officer Leia Albiar said they have conducted mandatory drug tests in the past.
Debold Sinas, Police Regional Office-Central Visayas director, said he had ordered an investigation to find out if there are more drug addicts among police officers.
Section 36 of Article III of Republic Act 9165 (the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) states that "officers and members of the military, police and other law enforcement agencies shall undergo annual mandatory drug test." (KAL/VoxPop Cebu)