Army cracks whip on soldiers into drugs

From the Manila Bulletin (May 9): Army cracks whip on soldiers into drugs

Soldiers in Panay Island have been sternly warned that they will be dishonorably discharged for using illegal drugs.

“We don’t tolerate soldiers who are illegal drug users. They will be automatically discharged,” emphasized Brigadier General Arnold Quiapo, commander of the Philippine Army’s 301st Infantry Brigade (301 IB).

Earlier, four soldiers have been dismissed from the service as random drug test proved they were positive of drug use.

Major Ray Tiongson, spokesman of the 3rd Infantry Division (3 ID), said that the four were formerly with the 82nd Infantry Battalion (82 IB) based in southern Iloilo town of Miag-ao and stationed in San Remigio town, Antique.

Tiongson refused to divulge the names of the four dismissed soldiers but hinted that three were privates first class (PFCs) and the third, a corporal (CPL).

The four were among the soldiers who underwent initial random drug test last August 2013. Tiongson pointed out that not all four tested positive.

Tiongson pointed out that the random drug test was part of Task Force Moses, created by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to cleanse its ranks of illegal drug users.

Tiongson added that the AFP has a strict dismissal policy for those who are found guilty of using illegal drugs.

Earlier this year, the Police Regional Office (PRO-6) also discovered that five cops from Iloilo and Capiz province tested positive for illegal drug use.

http://www.mb.com.ph/army-cracks-whip-on-soldiers-into-drugs/