THE Philippine National Police is set to dismiss 181 policemen from the service after they were found guilty of using illegal drugs following a series of drug tests.
The dismissal begins once Police Chief Ronaldo dela Rosa signs the recommendation to have them separated from the service.
The PNP-Internal Affair Service, the office investigating policemen using illegal drugs, has separately recommended to Dela Rosa the outright dismissal of nine police officers after they were found positive for ingesting illegal drugs.
They are PO1 Rahib Mapambocol; PO2 Jesus Plazo Jr.; SPO1 Jay Tizon; PO3 Joel Bolivar; PO1 Archelaus Hunshell DR Olivares; PO1 Edgar Sarmiento; SPO1 Robert Pellarada; PO2 Emmanuel Mari and Ronald Alcasabas.
IAS director Chief Supt Leo Angelo Leuterio said they were also finalizing the proceedings against 40 more policemen who had also been found to have been using illegal drugs.
“Police officers found positive for the use of illegal drugs after the confirmatory test will be recommended for outright dismissal from the service to the chief PNP,” Leuterio said in a statement.
“We continue to support the PNP leadership in its commitment to clean up our own ranks and the campaign against illegal drugs.
“The safety of the public and the well-being of our police officers rest on our staunch commitment to ensure that errant and corrupt police personnel have no place in a professionalized police service.”
Dela Rosa said the IAS had already submitted to him the recommendation to dismiss the policemen who had tested positive for using illegal drugs and that he would sign it in due time.
“The only thing lacking is my signature. Once I see the document I will immediately sign it,” Dela Rosa said.
He was referring to the 174 police officers recommended for dismissal aside from the nine who were recommended for outright separation and the additional 40 personnel for parallel action.