A police official said, the number of Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel who have tested positive for the use of illegal drugs has climbed to 174.
Of the total number who are using methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, 167 are uniformed personnel while the remaining seven are non-uniformed personnel, PNP Crime Laboratory director Chief Superintendent Aurelio Trampe Jr. said.
Although the number is less than one percent of the 159,129 personnel who were subjected to the random drug testing of the PNP, Trampe still considered the figure "alarming".
"I think it's alarming because we are supposed to implement the law and they are violating the law they are supposed to implement," Trampe said.
The highest ranking official among those who tested positive is a senior inspector, Trampre said.
He said the PNP's internal cleansing program is still ongoing.
"We just need to set an example. We have to neutralize them so people can say we have the right to conduct drug tests against civilians," he said.