4 Army troopers found positive for illegal drug use face discharge from service

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 3): 4 Army troopers found positive for illegal drug use face discharge from service

Four of 13 Philippine Army (PA) personnel are facing dishonorable discharge after tests confirmed that they are habitual users of illegal drugs.

PA spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao said the four -- a staff sergeant and three corporals -- were among the 2,500 Army officers, enlisted personnel and civilian employees subjected to surprise random drug tests last month.

He said the four were among the 13 officers and enlisted personnel initially taken to a Quezon City medical facility for confirmation tests after residues of illegal drugs were detected in their urine samples.

Hao did not identify the four but said they were in isolation as they undergo intelligence debriefing to establish the extent of their drug involvement in the service.

Hao said the four would get nothing from the government as involvement in illegal drugs meant forfeiture of all their benefits.

Meanwhile, two lieutenant colonels, a major, two staff sergeants, a sergeant, a corporal, a private first class and a private whose urine samples have yielded traces of drugs, have been cleared after tests established that they were taking medication.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=910337