Friday, November 13, 2015

Army’s 6th ID dismisses 30 personnel for drug abuse

From the Manila Bulletin (Nov 13): Army’s 6th ID dismisses 30 personnel for drug abuse

Cotabato City – Over 30 personnel of the Army’s Sixth Infantry Division (6th ID) have been summarily discharged from service for illegal drug use as part of the organizational and operational reforms that made the Maguindanao-based military unit a “model division” of the Philippine Army.

This was disclosed by Maj. Gen. Edmundo Pangilinan, 6ID commanding general, in an interview Wednesday at the sidelight of his command’s 28th foundation anniversary celebration graced by Philippine Army Chief Lt. Gen. Eduardo M. Año.

“I briefed him (Año) that since I assumed command, I have discharged more than 30 of my personnel for using illegal drugs. So, that is how serious and how I am very strict with the implementation of anti-illegal drug campaign,” Pangilinan told reporters.

However, he did not mention whether the dismissed personnel were soldiers or civilian employees, saying only that all of them were subjected to “confirmatory” validation by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agony (PDEA) and summarily discharged from service “without honor.”

“I am very serious against illegal drug use because this distorts minds. An illegal drug-using soldier destroys himself and eventually his family and then his community,” Pangilinan said.

Año, in separate interview, said all Army units in the country have been given supplemental funds to enforce and sustain random or unannounced drug tests, but more of such subsidies would be given to the 6th ID to pursue its trailblazing achievements.

Part of the special funds, he said, will be used for continuing training at the 6th ID headquarters in Maguindanao for officers and troops from other Army commands in the country to learn the organizational and operational activities of the host division.
In his speech at the commemoration ceremonies, Gen. Año announced the Philippine Army’s choice of the 6th ID as a “model unit” among 10 divisions and support commands nationwide.

“The 6th Infantry Division is now a model unit of the Philippine Army… It has excelled not only in the campaign against secessionist, communist and terrorist activities, but also in professionalizing its personnel and, more importantly, in peace and community building,” the Army chef said.

He said that in the current implementation of the Army Transformation Roadmap (ATS), the 6th ID already reached the proficiency stage. The ATS involves four stages – initiation, compliance, proficiency, and institutionalization.

http://www.mb.com.ph/armys-6th-id-dismisses-30-personnel-for-drug-abuse/

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