Army camp supports war against illegal drugs

From the Philippine Information Agency (Sep 18): Army camp supports war against illegal drugs

The Philippine Army’s 5th Infantry Division based in this town vowed to support the new administration’s all-out war against illegal drugs.

Brig. Gen. Paul Atal, commanding general of the 5th ID, expressed his willingness to cleanse all his soldiers against illegal drugs in support to President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.

He said they conducted massive information dissemination activities, in collaboration with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), to suppress illegal drugs use among the camp’s soldiers.

Atal said in order to ensure the cleansing of ranks of soldiers against illegal drugs, some 600 camp soldiers were subjected to a mandatory drug testing in coordination with the Regional Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Ilagan City.

As a result, he said at least one soldier and 13 Citizens' Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliaries (CAAs) were found positive using illegal drugs.

“The soldier and the 13 CAAs were already discharged from the military service and terminated as members of the CAAs, respectively,” the commanding general said.

To intensify their support in the illegal drugs campaign, Atal invited PDEA Regional Director Laurefel P. Gabales to discuss the various types of prohibited drugs that are widely abused in the entire country; the effects of illegal drugs in every individual; how addiction leads to criminalities; preparation and issuance of Search Warrants; the role of Military during the conduct of Buy-Bust Operations; and the penalties and punishment for those persons caught by authorities violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Act of 2002 or the Republic Act No. 9165.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/481473990409/army-camp-supports-war-against-illegal-drugs