More than 200 personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in the Negros Island Region (NIR) underwent random drug testing on Wednesday, June 17, with six personnel testing positive in the initial screening, the agency said.
Commodore Christopher Auro, commander of the Coast Guard District Southern Visayas, said the activity is in line with the PCG’s Zero Drug Tolerance policy, which seeks to eliminate illegal drugs within the organization.
The random drug testing, conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), initially yielded six positive results.
“Unfortunately, during the initial drug testing, six personnel tested positive. However, they will still undergo a confirmatory test, and once they are found to have violated policies on illegal drug use, they will face administrative charges and be recommended for separation from public service,” Auro said in an interview.
Confirmatory tests are necessary before any disciplinary action is taken. PDEA-NIR Assistant Regional Director Marjorie Ballesteros said positive screening results must be validated through confirmatory testing, as certain medications and other factors may trigger false-positive results.
The urine samples from the six personnel will be forwarded to a laboratory in Region 6 for confirmatory testing.
The drug testing forms part of the PCG’s anti-drug initiative launched on May 26, during which Coast Guard personnel signed an oath of undertaking and a commitment wall.
Auro said the PCG has 1,137 personnel across the region. Most of those tested were assigned in Negros Oriental, while others came from Siquijor and Negros Occidental. Another round of random drug testing will be conducted in the coming months to cover the remaining personnel.
Auro expressed gratitude to PDEA-NIR, headed by Director Melvin Estoque, for facilitating the activity, the first random drug testing for PCG personnel in the region.
PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan led Coast Guard personnel nationwide in taking a public oath and signing affidavits of undertaking, reaffirming their commitment to a drug-free organization.*PNA
[sibwp_form id=1]