Calbayog village officials to undergo random drug testing

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar, July 8 (PNA) -- Village officials in this city agreed to the call of the city government and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to submit themselves to random drug testing as part of the city’s anti-illegal drug campaign.

All of the city’s 157 village chairmen attended the meeting on Thursday organized by Mayor Ronaldo Aquino and the PNP. They discussed the activities being implemented by the authorities to eradicate illegal drugs in their communities.

Aquino, in his message, said that village officials headed by the village chief, being the chairperson of the barangay anti-drug abuse council (BADAC) need to lead in cleaning their own community of the drug menace.

The city mayor said that he will issue an executive order through the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) mandating all village officials to undergo drug testing.

Aquino said there were reports of the involvement of some village officials in the said illegal activity, either a pusher or a user. He added that his office and the PNP will be the one deciding on the 

schedule of drug test for each village and local officials will need to undergo the test on the scheduled date.

Aquino said that those who will not follow the order will face consequences as they will file charges and implement suspension order to village officials for insubordination.

“All village chiefs, council member, secretary, treasurer, and security officers need to undergo drug testing. Nobody is exempted and those who will not follow will face the consequences,” he added.

Aquino appealed to the village officials to call and encourage residents in their community who are involved in illegal drugs activity to voluntarily surrender.

The official said that anti-drugs campaign will not prosper without the support of officials in the local level.

City police chief superintendent Ibrahim Jambiran said that after the meeting with the village officials, he is expecting big changes in the campaign.

According to the local police, for the past two days since they implemented the strong campaign against illegal drugs in the city, more than 70 drug pushers and users had voluntarily surrendered to the police and city mayor. (PNA)
PGL/SQM/JENNIFER SUMAGANG – ALLEGADO