8 soldiers, 3 militiamen dismissed for drug use

From the Sun Star-Cagayan de Oro (Oct 26): 8 soldiers, 3 militiamen dismissed for drug use

EIGHT soldiers and three militiamen were booted out of service after testing positive for illegal drug use, the 4th Infantry Division’s (4ID) top official said on Wednesday, October 26.

Major General Benjamin Madrigal Jr., 4ID commanding general, said the three members of the Citizen’s Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) and eight enlisted personnel were found positive of drug use out of 988 soldiers who underwent random drug tests.

Madrigal said the random drug tests were part of the government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign.

He said the drug tests were also done ahead of the Philippine Army’s new role in law enforcement operations in Northern Mindanao and Caraga regions.

The joint military and police operations have so far resulted to the confiscation of more than 96,000 fully grown marijuana and marijuana stalks and P28 million worth of metamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as "shabu," weighing about 848 grams.

The joint operations have likewise resulted to the arrest of 11 drug personalities and the surrender of 562 confessed drug users.

Madrigal said the military is exploring the possibility of utilizing Camp Kibaritan in Bukidnon as a drug rehabilitation area.

Madrigal made the comments at the sidelines of the demilitarization of 164 assorted firearms at the 4ID’s headquarters in Camp Evangelista on Wednesday.

The destroyed firearms were among the 4ID’s inventory of confiscated, captured, surrendered and recovered (CCSR) firearms from December 19, 2015 to August 30, this year.

Among the firearms destroyed with the use of a circular saw were four 12 gauge shotguns, 16 caliber .38 revolvers, three 9mm pistols, four caliber .380 pistols, three caliber .22 pistols, one 5.56 caliber rifle, 35 caliber .45mm pistols, two caliber .22mm rifles, two SMGs, and two RPGs.

Another 69 serviceable firearms were set aside to be integrated to the supply line of the armed forces.
Nineteen firearms with defaced serial numbers will be subjected to macro-etching at the nearest Regional Police Office to determine the original serial numbers.

Firearms determined to be owned by the PNP will be turned-over to the PNP including those with legal impediments while the remaining firearms with defaced serial numbers will be segregated for demilitarization regardless of serviceability status.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/local-news/2016/10/26/8-soldiers-3-militiamen-dismissed-drug-use-505945