Cop has since gone AWOL

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Police Regional Office-6 (PRO-6) director, Police Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao, yesterday confirmed one member of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) tested positive for illegal drugs.

Bulalacao, who was in Bacolod City yesterday, said he was personally saddened by the result, identifying the cop in question only as “Police Officer 1.”

The PRO-6 chief said he earlier spoke with the said officer and asked him about the allegations, which the latter denied. However, he pointed out, based on the involved cop’s personal appearance and condition, the officer could be using illegal drugs.

Bulalacao said he gave the officer 15 days to counter the allegations by requesting a confirmatory drug test, however, the involved cop has since gone AWOL, or absent without official leave.

The police officer in question was previously assigned to Police Station 7, but was transferred to the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit following the findings.

“If he does not comply with the 15-day confirmation, we will charge him,” Bulalacao said.

He added, the incident is only minor since the involved cop was the only one who tested positive among 12,000 active PRO-6 members./DGB, WDJ