31 soldiers positive for drug use kicked out

From ABS-CBN (Jan 22): 31 soldiers positive for drug use kicked out

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) booted out from service 31 soldiers found positive for drug use.

AFP public affairs office chief Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said the soldiers were subjected to investigation, prior to their dismissal from the service.

Zagala said a random drug test conducted in 2013 found 167 to be using shabu and marijuana.

The AFP, he said, is now investigating 100 more soldiers who tested positive for drug use. He confirmed that most of them will most likely be removed from service as well.

Citing figures from the military's anti-drugs "Task Force Moses," Zagala said at least 20,000 officers and men were subjected to the random drug test last year.

Compared to last year, the task force will increase by 20 percent the number of military personnel to be subjected to random drug test this year, Zagala said.

"As protector of the people, we should always be in our best physical, mental, and psychological condition in order to fully serve our responsibilities," Zagala said, adding that members of the AFP should be "professional at all times."

Most of the soldiers who tested positive for drug use belong to the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy particularly the Philippine Marines, and were all "young".
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/01/22/14/31-soldiers-positive-drug-use-kicked-out