TACLOBAN CITY- Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan led on Thursday (August 11) officials of the province for a drug test underscoring her cooperation with the anti-drug campaign of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
The members of the Scene of the Crime Operatives (Soco) of the Philippine National Police took urine samples from the officials who also included Vice Governor Stephen James Tan and the 10 members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
“We should be an exemplar in following the law and must be clean and free from any abuse of illegal drugs,” Board Member Lee Zosa said in a phone interview.
“This is our way of showing our full support on the relentless campaign of President Duterte to stamp out the proliferation of the illegal drugs in the country,” he added.
The result of the drug tests taken from the Samar officials will be known probably by next week.
Asked what would happen if any one of them would be discovered to be positive of using illegal drugs, particularly shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride), Zosa could not say what could be its sanction.
According to Zosa, they will first consult with the Civil Service Commission on this matter and what particular law would apply to them.
The board member also said that after them, all heads of the various departments and offices as well the close to 1,000 employees of the provincial government will also be asked to undergo drug test.
“But this will be a surprise drug test,” Zosa said.
It was learned from Zosa that the Thursday drug testing activity was the first time to be ever conducted at the provincial capitol. (JOEY A. GABIETA)
