Members of the 47^th Infantry Battalion (IB) of the Philippine Army in Bohol tested negative for drugs after random drug testing was conducted within its ranks last week.

According to Lt. Col. Jose Dodjie Belloga Jr, commander of the 47th IB, officials of the battalion organized the testing while operatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) handled the examination of the specimens collected from the soldiers.

The PDEA agents conducted the examination at the brigade headquarters in Camp Rajah Sikatuna, Barangay Katipunan, Carmen.

However, not all of the battalion’s members have been tested yet, Belloga said.

The 47^th IB is 475-strong while the local Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit has 747 members. Both are under the 302^nd Infantry Brigade headed by Col. Arnulfo Matangguihan.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines, under new chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Ricardo Visaya, vowed to support law enforcement agencies in their campaign against crime and illegal drug activities in accordance with President Rodrigo Duterte’s drive against criminality.

A total of 131 soldiers were dismissed from service for illegal drug use in 2014 and 2015 according to a data from the Philippine Army Public Affairs Office. (with reports from Rey Tutas)