6 drivers test positive for illegal drug use in Holy Week drive

Six public transport drivers tested positive for illegal drug use during a surprise screening conducted in major terminals in Western Visayas on Monday, March 30.

The simultaneous drug testing operations were carried out by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-6) together with the Land Transportation Office (LTO-6) under Oplan Harabas.

Of the six (one jeepney driver and five tricycle drivers), five were found to have used shabu or methamphetamine hydrochloride, while one tested positive for using marijuana.

“[They] will undergo confirmatory testing, with their licenses immediately confiscated by LTO,” PDEA-6 said in a statement.

A total of 822 drivers and conductors in Aklan (Kalibo Citi Mall Terminal), Antique (Culasi Ceres Terminal, Tibiao TODA Terminal and San Jose Transport Terminal), Capiz (Pueblo de Panay Integrated Terminal Roxas City), and Iloilo (Sara Public Transport Terminal were screened to “ensure a safe and drug-free travel this Holy Week.”

Oplan Harabas is part of PDEA’s “continuing campaign to prevent drug-related road incidents and protect the riding public.” IMT