A TWO-day random drug test for about 2,500 Negros Occidental employees was conducted starting Thursday. Governor Joseph Maraņon advised the employees to undergo the random drug testing to determine who among the Provincial Government workers are into illegal drug use or are already dependents. The tests were conducted at the Governor's Hall of the Old Capitol Building However, only 20 percent of the total employees will be subjected to the test during the two-day period, said Provincial Legal Officer Mary Ann Manayon-Lamis. [continues 255 words]
THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said that seven policemen in Region 6 were charged criminally and administratively for bungling drug cases that have been filed in court. They are Police Officer 2 Alfonso Precia, Police Officer 3 Stephen Siblag, Chief Inspector Carlito Guion, Police Officer 1 Albeto Precia Jr., Police Officer 1 Jovito Quiatchon, Inspector Roberto Nino and Police Officer 2 Armen Penuela. All are from Iloilo City Police Office and Iloilo Provincial Police Office, said Superintendent Rolen Balquin, PDEA regional director for Western Visayas. [continues 204 words]
KALIBO, Aklan -- Barely a week as director of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Noppo), Senior Superintendent Charles Calima Jr. is already noted for his several accomplishments. These include the arrest of 14 wanted persons engaged in illegal gambling operations, confiscation of 10 firearms, the arrest for extortion last Friday of Police Officer 1 Christian Ian Dingcong of the Noppo's Provincial Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force. Because of his crusade, Calima said he received a text message from an unknown sender cautioning him to "slow down." [continues 155 words]
DEPARTMENT of Education-Negros Occidental Division officer-in-charge Oscar Tizon welcomed Education Secretary Florencio Abad's proposal to have elementary and secondary public school teachers undergo drug testing. The province has about 10,000 teachers and Tizon expressed confidence none of them is hooked into drugs. "This is for our own good," added Tizon. He said, however, their office can't implement the drug test yet until they receive the final memorandum order from DepEd-Manila. "Drug testing is now one of the basic requirements for incoming teachers, but not for the permanent or old ones," he added. Abad's proposal is aimed at cleaning DepEd of any drug users, noted Tizon. [end]
