IAS legal officer tests positive for drug use

BY AARON RECUENCO

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Debold Sinas has ordered the dismissal of the head of a legal division of the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) in Central Luzon after he tested positive during a random drug test last month.

IAS is under the Philippine National Police and was tasked to run after erring policemen.

Sinas said his order to dismiss lawyer Efren Garcia II is a proof that both the uniformed personnel and civilian employees are covered by the internal cleansing in the police organization.

Garcia is the chief of the Legal Affairs Division of the Regional Affairs Service 3.

“Let me reiterate that there is no place in the PNP for any personnel who is into illegal drugs, whether for recreational or habitual use,” said Sinas.

On February 24, personnel of the IAS-Police Regional Office 3 were subjected to surprise drug testing as part of the internal cleansing in the PNP.

When the results came in, Sinas said the urine sample of Garcia tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine. The result was verified during the confirmatory test.

He said he had already ordered Garcia to undergo pre-charge investigation and summary dismissal proceedings for grave misconduct, an administrative case with a maximum penalty of dismissal from the service.