Surprise test shows 23 Lapu-Lapu gov't employees positive for drugs
CEBU CITY, Oct. 1 2002 (PNA) -- At least 23 government employees were
tested positive for drugs in a surprise drug test conducted by
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Arturo Radaza for all City Hall employees.
The employees included personnel from the police and Bureau of Fire
Protection (BFP) assigned in the city.
City Health Officer Rodulfo Berame who conducted the test Monday
inside the Lapu-Lapu City Sports Complex said among the first 200
personnel who underwent drug testing Monday, 23 were found positive
of illegal drug intake.
Berame said he expects the number to increase, as more than 1,000
more employees, including casuals will be made to undergo the drug
test.
The first 200 employees who were tested were from the BFP and the
PNP, and some barangay workers from Babag.
Assistant City Administrator Junard Chan said with the number of
people testing positive for drugs in the first batch, it is highly
probable that some other police and fire personnel would also test
positive for drug intake.
Chan, however, said it is better to wait for the official results
which will include the names of all those who were found positive.
This will be submitted by Berame to the mayor as soon as the tests
are finished.
He said casual and job order employees found positive of drugs will
automatically be dismissed, their contracts not renewed, while the
regular employees would be administratively charged before
dismissal.
Lapu-Lapu City police chief, Supt. Paquito Belandres, said it is
very probable that policemen were among the 23 who tested positive.
Belandres said there were at least 70 policemen, including himself
and other officials who took the compulsory drug test Monday morning
after the flag ceremony.
He also said policemen found positive will also be administratively
charged.
Belandres said he does not discount the possibility that some
policemen use illegal drugs.
He admitted that he was also surprised by the drug test, saying the
plan was kept under wraps among the close aides of the mayor.
Chan said the employees didn't know they were going to be subjected
to a drug test Monday morning. They were merely directed to go to the
sports complex for an announcement from the mayor.
He said as soon as all the employees were already inside the complex
the females were directed to go the bleachers while the males
remained at the basketball court.
After the announcement, Chan said some male employees attempted to
go out but were refrained. (PNA)
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