- PRO XI: Eight police officers under investigation
EIGHT policemen from various units of the Police Regional Office XI have been relieved of their duties and are currently undergoing a pre-charge investigation.
The list includes a police officer arrested during a drug buy-bust operation after testing positive in a random screening conducted recently.
During the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps briefing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday, Nov. 27, PRO XI spokesperson Major Catherine Dela Rey said the personnel were assigned to Davao City, Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte, and Davao de Oro.
“I can’t discuss their names as it’s confidential but there are no officers involved,” she said, adding that their relief proved the PNP does not coddle anyone in its ranks who might be involved in illegal activities.
The police officer arrested in the buy-bust operation and who tested positive during the random drug test is assigned to Davao de Oro.
“As of now, no new individuals have tested positive in the ongoing drug tests conducted by PRO XI. Six personnel tested positive, and the other policeman was arrested during the buy-bust operation also tested positive,” Dela Rey said.
She said the suspects were given time to respond to the cases they are facing.
“The highest penalty they could face is dismissal from service. This shows our commitment to combating illegal drugs. We also conduct random drug tests because we can’t know if some of our personnel are involved in drug use,” she added.
The drug tests were conducted across various units of PRO XI, particularly the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU).
Dela Rey said she still needs to verify whether the officers have reported to the Regional Police Holding and Accounting Unit. However, she confirmed their firearms were already confiscated.
“As much as we don’t want this to happen, we cannot control the actions of every PNP personnel. That’s why we conduct cleansing operations. Because we don’t know what outside influences may affect them,” she added.
