3 cops ordered to have confirmatory drug tests due to questionable urine samples

KIDAPAWAN CITY -Three policemen were ordered to undergo confirmatory drug tests after the urine samples they submitted for screening during the mandatory drug tests on Wednesday were placed under tight scrutiny by the newly-appointed provincial police director. Senior Superintendent Alex Tagum, director of the Cotabato Police Provincial Office (CPPO), said that by just merely looking at the textures of the urine samples submitted by three of his operatives he could say these were ‘highly questionable.’ Immediately, Tagum ordered these policemen to again submit urine samples for confirmation. But of the three, only two followed Tagum’s order.A young policeman identified as Police Officer 1 Peter Salac, Jr., left the area without asking permission from his superior. Salac, son of a city councilor here, is assigned at the Antipas municipal police station. When Tagum learned aboutit, he immediately ordered Salac to report to his office and explain why he refused to have a confirmatory drug test. Tagum hinted Salac might be facing administrative and criminal charges for his failure to follow a ‘legal’ and ‘lawful’ order. I am implementing, in strictest sense, house cleaning in my organization.I will file charges against policemen who are into illegal drug useor involved in drug trafficking.I want to make sure these men will be outside my organization,” said Tagum. On Wednesday, around 120 policemen, including city director and 17 municipal police station chiefs in North Cotabato, underwent mandatory drug tests. It came as a surprise to them, especially to policemen who were identified through intelligence reports as among those using drugs.