Top officials of the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO-6), led by Brigadier General Josefino Ligan, underwent a surprise drug test as part of efforts to ensure a drug-free police force.

Ligan convened around 50 senior officers and unit commanders for “an emergency meeting,” which turned out to be a surprise drug screening.

“For our commanders and people in Western Visayas, let us always ensure the safety of our people. To do, that we should come clean first, to have the moral ascendancy,” he said during a short media conference.

The urine samples were immediately submitted to the regional forensic unit for testing.

Should any officer test positive, a confirmatory test will follow, and those found using illegal drugs will face appropriate legal and administrative action.

Ligan emphasized that the surprise drug test is part of a broader directive to screen all PRO-6 personnel, beyond the usual testing required during promotions.

“The intention actually is for all the police officers of Western Visayas to undergo the mandatory drug test, apart from the requirement during their promotion. In a year, the target is all policemen in Region 6, we will drug test them,” he added.

In a follow-up interview, PRO-6 spokesperson Lt. Colonel Arnel Solis said Ligan instructed all unit commanders to conduct the same for their personnel.

“The intention is to ensure that the ranks of the Philippine National Police are clean when it comes to illegal drugs. They should serve as models because we are at the forefront of the campaign against illegal drugs, so we have to show that our police officers are not affected by illegal drugs,” Solis said. (PNA)