OFFICERS and men of the Philippine National Police-Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-DEG) yesterday underwent a surprise drug test as their new director, Brigadier General Ronald O. Lee assumed his post and vowed to fully implement the directives of PNP chief, Gen. Debold M. Sinas.
Lee, a member of Philippine Military Academy ‘Tanglaw-Diwa’ Class of 1992, said the surprise drug test will be a regular activity in the PNP-DEG which is the main police units tasked to go after ‘high-value targets’ in the country.
He replaced Brig. Gen. Armando S. de Leon of PMA ‘Sambisig’ Class of 1991 who has been named as the new PNP Director for Human Resource and Doctrine Development, a position previously occupied by Lee.
Gen. Sinas last week said he will revitalize the different PNP drug enforcement units to focus their campaign on high-value targets/individuals specifically foreign drug manufacturers and smugglers and their local associates.
The 25th PNP chief also vowed to identify and neutralize the remaining ‘Ninja/Narco-Cops’ including their associates in the police force.
Gen. Sinas assured that PNP drug enforcement units will have to be manned by personnel with no reported or suspected involvement in illegal drugs to ensure their integrity.
The PNP chief ordered the replacement of police officers and men currently assigned in anti-narcotics units of the police force with ‘appropriately vetted’ policemen.
“We will also fortify the competency of our anti-narcotics agents by equipping them with the right knowledge and skills thru training and giving them the right and proper equipment they need in going after armed and dangerous drug dealers,” said Gen. Sinas.
