COTABATO CITY – Police officials assigned under the Police Regional Office - 12 (PRO-12) underwent Wednesday a surprise mandatory drug test upon orders of Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales, the region’s police director.
Chief Inspector Aldrin Gonzales, PRO-12 spokesperson, said Morales directed personnel of the crime laboratory to proceed to the Makatarungan Hall of the PRO-12 headquarters for the surprise drug test then ordered all his subordinate officials to follow him.
Although surprised, members of the PRO-12 Command Group and Regional Staff, among others, complied with the directive and submitted specimen for drug test without hesitation.
On same day, Morales directed all city, municipal, and provincial police directors, including those from support units across the region, to do the same.
Morales said that it was part of Philippine National Police’s campaign to “cleanse the ranks”.
In 2016, the PRO-12 Crime Laboratory Office recorded a total of 12 personnel whose drug test turned up positive. From 2017 to date, PRO-12 drug tests showed negative results, an indication police officials are cleared of any prohibited substance.
“It is one way to improve our performances and increase our credibility,” Morales said in a statement. (PNA)
