Pubdate: Wed, 13 Aug 2003
Source: Sunstar Pangasinan (Philippines)
go.drug.test.html
Copyright: 2003 Sunstar
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pangasinan/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1726

17 MORE CITY COPS UNDERGO DRUG TEST

THERE is no result yet on the August 6 mandatory drug test conducted on 88 
members of the Dagupan City police force.

This is despite an earlier disclosure of Chief Insp. Elimer Catabay, 
director of the Pangasinan police crime laboratory, that the result could 
be issued within three or four days after the drug test.

Catabay said that no matter how the forensic chemist wanted to facilitate 
the examination of urine samples taken from the policemen, there were too 
many court orders for her appearance at the courts.

"Attending to court duties is mandatory," he said.

Catabay made this disclosure after he and Imelda Ubando conducted a drug 
test last Monday on 17 of the 30 remaining city policemen who failed to 
undergo the previous test.

City Police Chief Noli G. Talino said the 17 cops were those who attended 
to their court duties on cases filed against apprehended criminal elements.

Talino said the 13 other policemen are undergoing a training-seminar at the 
regional police headquarters and are to graduate by September.

Meanwhile, Provincial Police Director Mario Sandiego assured that he would 
make the names of policemen who would fail the drug test public.

"We will be transparent," he said.

But he said the revelation of the names of those found positive of drug 
substances would be after the test result shall have been confirmed.

As to the three Urdaneta City policemen found positive of drug use, 
Sandiego said they are undergoing summary dismissal proceedings at the 
police regional office in San Fernando City in La Union.

The policemen are SPO4 Gerardo T. Ormilla, SPO1 Jesus S. Labuan Jr. and PO3 
Randy R. Mergado. FPM
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman