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5 Zambo village workers positive for illegal drug use

By Salvador Santiago

December 3, 2019, 7:09 pm

<p>Google map of Zamboanga City.</p>

Google map of Zamboanga City.

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Five utility and office personnel in a barangay here were found positive for illegal drugs use in a surprise drug testing on Tuesday, an official said.

Los Eli Angeles, Sta. Maria barangay chairperson, said the surprise drug testing was held in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the local police.

Angeles withheld the names of the five personnel found positive for use of illegal drugs pending the confirmatory examination in Manila.

Angeles said he coordinated a week ago with the city government’s Barangay Affairs Office, PDEA, DILG, and the local police for the drug test at the covered court of Barangay Sta. Maria.

“I informed all of them (personnel) that we will have a meeting at the covered court of Sta. Maria Elementary School at 8 a.m. for the renewal of their appointment. When everyone was inside, I ordered to close the doors and announced the conduct of a drug test,” he said.

He said a total of 130 utilities, office staff, security watchmen (tanods), nutrition workers, including barangay officials had undergone the drug test.

The village chairman said he was elated that none of the barangay officials was found positive for illegal drug use.

Angeles said he will meet the five personnel found positive for use of illegal drugs and encourage them to mend their ways or else they will be dismissed from government service.

“We are just humans. I will give them the second chance to change and then I will order them to undergo drug test again. If they will be still found positive, I can’t do anything, I will terminate them from service,” he said. (PNA)

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