Army division opens own drug testing center

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao – In an effort to make every soldier drug free and fit for service to the Filipino people, 6^th Infantry “Kampilan” Division commander Maj. Gen. Diosdado Carreon ordered the establishment of drug testing center within the camp.

Now completed, the drug center was inaugurated with Brig. Gen. Juvymax R. Uy, 6^th ID assistant division commander as guest of honor and Fr. Gil Asilo of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) congregation as presiding prelate.

It is located inside Camp Siongco Station Hospital.

Brig. Gen. Uy said the drug testing center will help strengthen the existing anti-narcotics regulation and policies of the Armed Forces with the end view of totally eradicating illegal use of drugs.

“This will also protect the unit and the personnel from the dangers of using illegal substances,” Brig. Gen. Uy added.

The establishment of the drug testing center is to support the directive of the Philippine Army in the conduct of mandatory as well as random drug test for all its uniformed personnel and Civil Service Law for its civilian personnel.

Maj. Gen. Carreon, also chief of Joint Task Force Central (JTFC), said that the establishment of the center will ensure the credibility and integrity of the Command that its personnel will abide by the law and deter and prevent them from illegal drugs addiction.

He vowed that the 6th ID will strictly follow the directive of the government that all government agencies and institutions be drug-free so its personnel can perform their mandated tasks and duty and deliver their services effectively.

Instead of looking for drug testing centers outside the camp and at higher cost, soldiers under the 6^th ID and JTFC can visit the center as one of the requirements in applying for promotion, reenlistment, schooling and applying for security and command clearances.