Key Samar officials test negative of illegal drugs use

TACLOBAN CITY, Sept. 2 (PNA) –- Samar provincial government key officials were all found negative of illegal drugs use.

Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan was vindicated with the result as some key officials have been rumored as drug users.

The governor initiated a mandatory drug test for all Samar provincial government employees during the celebration of Samar Day on Aug. 11.

The negative result, according to Tan, manifests the support of provincial government officials to the anti-drug war of President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

The drug test covered 90 provincial government officials led by the governor, her brother Vice Governor Stephen James Tan, board members, department heads, and some officials of Catbalogan City government.

Catbalogan City officials who underwent drug test were Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan; Vice Mayor Art Sherwin Gabon; Councilors Coefredo Uy, Nanette Jasmin, Christine Escober and Archie Fuentes.

“This will show that the public officials in the province are not involved in illegal drugs or not using illegal drugs,” Tan said.

Surprise mandatory drug test for all provincial government employees will follow, according to Tan.

Meanwhile, Tan dismissed social media rumors that their family is involved in illegal drugs trade in Samar province.

The Facebook post claimed that the governor’s mother, Samar 2nd district Rep. Milagrosa Tan is a protector of drug pushers while her vice governor brother is a drug user.

“We know that politics is behind it and we know who are the people behind this,” Tan told reporters.

The official challenged those spreading rumors to validate the information with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Philippine National Police. (PNA)
LAP/SQM/ROEL T. AMAZONA/EGR