Army exerting all efforts to ensure 'drug-free' personnel

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 12): Army exerting all efforts to ensure 'drug-free' personnel

The Philippine Army (PA) on Monday said it strongly supports the government's ongoing campaign against illegal drugs, noting that it is doing everything in its authority to ensure that all its personnel are free from the influence of illegal drugs.

"The Army is serious in support of government campaign on illegal drugs, hence it has undertaken at its level programs activities such as mandatory drug test to all personnel establishment of drug-testing facilities in various camps as well as sustain advocacies," PA spokesperson Lt. Col. Louie Villanueva said.

And based on current policies, he added that any PA personnel involved in any drug-related activities will be sanctioned and face immediate dismissal.

Villanueva earlier said that the PA does not condone any illegal acts of its personnel, including the use and distribution of illegal drugs.

This was proven when police and military units arrested 2nd Lt. Hamel Abubakar Samsodin, assigned at the Camarines Sur-based 9th Infantry Division and his drug-runners, identified as Aslimah Somala Aliba and Mohair Masicuin Mamalampac were arrested during a buy-bust operations conducted by police and military units at Sampaguita St, Mapayapa Village 1, Barangay Pasong Tamo, Quezon City around 10:30 p.m. last March 7.

Confiscated from the suspects, who were all arrested after a brief car chase in Dollar St. corner Mark St. in Barangay North Fairview, were 25 grams of shabu, PHP60,000 in marked money, an Armscor .45 caliber pistol loaded with five bullets, another .45 Swissvale and a magazine clip containing seven rounds, an M-16 replica, six M-16 magazine assemblies with 148 bullets, a hand grenade and a white Hyundai Accent (with conduction sticker MOS 5702) which the three tried to use as their getaway vehicle.

"The arrest of subject officer is a product of counter-intelligence which is a constant procedure of monitoring personnel doing anomalous or illegal acts detrimental to the organization. The PA (doesn't) condone any act that is not in conformance to its policy and standard," Villanueva added.

Samsodin was called to active duty last May 1, 2016 through the Officers' Preparatory Course and took his oath at the Philippine Army Headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

The suspect also underwent a two-month Scout Ranger Orientation Course in Bulacan and a three-month Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija. Prior to his arrest, he was supposed to be deployed as platoon leader of the 83rd Infantry Battalion in Pili, Camarines Sur.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1028264