Of the more than 8,000 policemen in Central Visayas, seven tested positive for illegal drug use.

This was the revelation of Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 director Chief Supt. Noli Taliño to the Bohol Sangguniang Panlalawigan during its regular session on Friday.

Taliño said that 80% of the PRO-7 personnel have been subjected to surprise drug testing since Director Gen. Ronald Dela Rosa took over the helm of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The PNP has been conducting surprise and random drug tests across the country since July 1, 2016 as part of the national police force’s bid to clean up its ranks.

In the same address to Bohol board members, Taliño claimed that incidence of index crimes in the Philippines dropped by 28 percent in August compared to the previous month.

Although the number of murder cases spiked on the same period, crime volume in the entire country plummeted by 49 percent compared to July, Taliño said.

The police official expressed gratitude to Boholanos and officials of the province who have contributed to the national government’s drive against illegal drug activities.

However, Taliño asked for further support as the Duterte administration’s deadline to end criminality in the country draws near.

Since the implementation of  Oplan Tokhang, one of the main initiatives in the government’s war against drugs, 800,000 self-confessed drug pushers and user have surrendered to authorities in the country.

Drug personalities in Central Visayas region comprise a large chunk of the said figure as more than 31,000 self-confessed pushers and users have surrendered in Bohol alone. (Rey Tutas)