Some Cotabato City employees tested positive for drug use

DRUG TEST --- Some 2,200 Cotabato City government employees underwent a surprise mandatory drug test in this file photo on October 16, 2019. Results of the drug testing revealed that a number of local government employees have tested positive for illegal drug use. (PHOTO COURTESY OF COTABATO CIO / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY ---  Some city government employees here have tested positive for drug use after a recent mandatory drug test conducted by anti-narcotics personnel, an official said.   

One of the regular employees who tested positive went on absence without official leave and later arrested during drug buy-bust operation by the city police.

At least 10 other workers have shown signs of drug use and the urine samples taken from them are still undergoing confirmatory tests, said Rolen Balquin, City Public Safety Office chief, last Monday (November 18).

The city government has about 2,200 employees and more than 90 percent of them have undergone a surprise drug test last October 16.

“Only those who were on sick leave or vacation leave or official travel have not undergone the process of drug testing,” Balquin said.

Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi earlier ordered the mandatory drug test to ensure the city has a “drug-free workplace”.

“Drug dependents have no place in the Cotabato City government,” Sayadi said in a separate interview. (EDWIN FERNANDEZ, PNA – COTABATO / MINDANAO EXPOSE’)