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SURIGAO CITY (MindaNews / 23 June) – Twelve police officers in Surigao del Norte are now facing administrative charges after being found positive during random drug testing.
According to Supt. James Mejia, provincial police director, these cops have no place to be part of the police force.
“They have been found positive in using illegal drugs. We want them to be out of service,” he said on Thursday.
He said these 12 cops are assigned in different municipalities in Surigao del Norte.
Also facing dismissal is Chief Insp. Zosimo Torrecampo, who refused undergo testing during the surprise drug test last March.
Mejia said Torrecampo was the chief of police of the municipality of Sison. He reportedly escaped during the drug test and walked almost a kilometer away.
Police officers chased the Torrecampo and brought him back to the Philippine National Police provincial office but insisted on not undergoing the drug test, Mejia said.
He said that Torrecampo’s refusal to undergo the drug test could still be ground for his expulsion.
The police director said Torrecampo was relieved as Sison police chief and replaced by Chief Insp. Antonio Claros.
“There are some who filed for an appeal and they will have to be heard before the decision will come out,” Mejia said.
He added that he had submitted the names to the PNP-Regional Office and is now awaiting for the dismissal order of these cops.