TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has initiated dismissal proceedings against a police officer from Leyte province after he tested positive for methamphetamine (shabu) in a surprise drug test conducted on December 13, 2025. The move, confirmed by PNP Chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil, underscores the force’s zero-tolerance policy for drug use among its ranks, even as it intensifies external anti-narcotics operations.
The officer, assigned to a Leyte police station (identity withheld pending formal charges), was among personnel subjected to random testing as part of the PNP’s Internal Cleansing Program. Results from the PNP Crime Laboratory confirmed traces of shabu in his system, prompting immediate relief from duty and placement under restrictive custody. “There is no room for drug users in the PNP—whether on the streets or in uniform,” Marbil declared, ordering an expedited administrative case for dishonorable dismissal and forfeiture of benefits.
The case will be handled by the PNP’s Internal Affairs Service (IAS), with potential criminal charges under RA 9165 (Dangerous Drugs Act) if probable cause is found. The officer faces perpetual disqualification from public office upon conviction.
This incident follows a string of internal purges, with over 300 PNP personnel dismissed for various offenses in 2025, including drug-related cases. Marbil vowed continued surprise tests: “We police the police first—integrity starts within.”
For a force of 230,000 battling drug syndicates, this dismissal isn’t just discipline—it’s deterrence, reinforcing public trust in a season demanding vigilance.
Case Snapshot:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Leyte province police station |
| Test Date | December 13, 2025 |
| Substance | Methamphetamine (shabu) |
| Status | Relieved; administrative dismissal pending |
| PNP Action | IAS probe; possible criminal charges |