Pubdate: Thu, 12 Aug 2004 Source: Manila Times (Philippines) Copyright: 2004, The Manila Times Contact: http://www.manilatimes.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/921 Author: Mark Louie Roxas, Central Luzon Bureau Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Test) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?236 (Corruption - Outside U.S.) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) AGLIPAY SACKS 27 CL COPS AFTER FAILING NARCOTICS TEST CAMP OLIVAS, Pam-panga-Deputy Director General Edgar B. Aglipay ordered here on Wednesday the summary dismissal from the service of at least 27 Central Luzon policemen found to be users of illegal drugs. Aglipay arrived here yesterday for a briefing on the current police drive against illegal drug trafficking in which he gathered that at least 148 barangays in Central Luzon have been affected by illegal drugs operation. A briefing presented by Sr. Supt Amado Paneda, deputy regional director for administration, showed that Tarlac has the most number of barangays beset by drug operations. Affected in Nueva Ecija are 18 barangays; Zambales, 11; Angeles, 4; and Olongapo City, 3. Chief Supt. Vidal Querol, Central Luzon police regional director, reported to Aglipay that of the 798 policemen who underwent drug testing, 27 were found positive. Four of them have been discharged from the service and the rest are facing suspension pending result of summary dismissal proceedings. Aglipay directed Central Luzon police authorities to further intensify their drive against illegal drugs trafficking and aim for drug-free barangays all over the region. Aglipay is the commander of the police's Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Force, which has been tasked to eradicate illegal drugs trafficking in the country. During the briefing here, Aglipay gathered that at least 878 drug pushers or users have been neutralized in Central Luzon, which translated to an average of 125 users and pushers per month. At least 195 drug pushers and users were arrested in Bulacan, trailed by Olongapo with 152 and Pampanga with 120. Aglipay commended the police in these three places for neutralizing illegal drugs pushers in their areas. A total of 304,456 grams of shabu and 14,949 grams of marijuana worth more than P609.28 million were confiscated since January alone. Querol said that local police authorities have conducted seminars and information dissemination campaigns especially in school campuses on the effects of illegal drugs. In other project, the Central Luzon PNP is rehabilitating at least 499 drug patients, 453 of them males, at the Central Luzon Drug Rehabilitation Center in Maga-lang, Pampanga. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin