A TRAFFIC enforcer in Mandaue City will be dismissed from service after a sachet containing illegal drugs was seized from him during a checkpoint in Zuellig Avenue in Mandaue City last Saturday.
Glenn Antigua, chief for operations of the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (Team), said he asked the Human Resource Management Office to end the contract of Ian Billones.
Billones, 25, was assigned in a task force that maintains the sidewalk from informal vendors. He had been in the service for two years.
During a checkpoint of the Mandaue Police Station (MPS) 2 led by Chief Inspector Genilo Veraque, the team flagged down the suspect who was driving his motorcycle at 5 p.m.
In a report signed by Veraque, the police officers found the sachet of white crystalline substance believed to be "shabu" (methamphetamine hydrochloride) inside Billones' coin purse. The suspect is a resident of Barangay Centro.
Before the traffic enforcer was caught, Antigua said that Billones was under suspension for 25 days for tardiness which started last Friday.
He said there was no report in the past that Billones was using illegal drugs.
According to Antigua, Billones was also negative in the result of his drug test.
Antigua required every Team member to submit a result of the drug test every month to prove that they are clear from illegal drugs.
However, it is the choice of the Team member which drug testing center he would want to be tested.
After this incident, Antigua said he will request for a surprise drug test before the city mayor's office.
“Kahibaw gyud na sila unsay mahitabo nila kung mag-positive (Team members know what will happen to them if they are found positive of illegal drugs),” said Antigua.
Billones was temporarily detained at the MPS 2 holding cell. He will be charged with violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (FMG)