Six drivers test positive for drugs in terminal sweep

By Jennifer P. Rendon and Gerome Dalipe

Six drivers tested positive for illegal drug use during a surprise drug test at public transport terminals in Western Visayas on Oct. 29, days before the expected influx of passengers for All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on Nov. 1 and 2.

The testing was conducted under “Oplan Harabas,” a joint operation by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 6 (PDEA-6) and the Land Transportation Office Region 6 (LTO-6), with support from the Philippine National Police and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

The initiative aims to ensure public utility vehicle drivers are not under the influence of illegal drugs while transporting passengers, especially during the busy Undas holiday period.

Of the 1,013 transport personnel tested, 876 were drivers, 135 were conductors, and two were dispatchers.

Among the drivers, 165 operated buses, 183 traditional jeepneys, 27 modernized jeepneys, 39 taxis, 135 vans, 322 tricycles, three trucks, and two motorcycles.

An additional 135 individuals included 67 bus drivers and 68 modernized bus drivers, bringing the total tested to 1,013.

Ma. Graziella Tanaleon, public information officer of PDEA-6, said five of the six who initially tested positive were tricycle drivers from Antique, while the sixth was a truck driver working for J&T Express in Caticlan, Malay, Aklan.

Those who tested positive were immediately referred for confirmatory testing, and their driver’s licenses were confiscated by the LTO.

LTO-6 Regional Director Atty. Gaudioso P. Geduspan II said the licenses are currently suspended pending confirmation.

“If the confirmatory test is still positive, we will recommend revocation of the driver’s license,” Geduspan said, emphasizing the agency’s unwavering commitment to commuter safety.

PDEA-6 Regional Director Ralph Rommel D. Torres said the operation also seeks to prevent the transport of illegal drugs through public vehicles and to minimize road accidents caused by drug-impaired drivers.

“Oplan Harabas is part of our campaign to keep roads and terminals drug-free during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year,” Torres said.

According to LTO data, drug-impaired driving is a significant factor in the country’s average of 12,000 road crash fatalities annually.

Despite the presence of narcotic detection dogs during terminal sweeps, no illegal drugs were found at the sites.

The operation began at the Ceres Bus Liner Terminal in Barangay Tagbak, Jaro, Iloilo City.

Simultaneous operations were held at the old Tagbak Terminal in Jaro, Mohon Terminal in Arevalo, Caticlan Jetty Port Transport Terminal in Malay, Pueblo de Panay Terminal in Roxas City, Funda Dalipe Terminal in San Jose, and Pavia People’s Terminal in Pavia.

LTO-6 said it will continue conducting random drug tests throughout the year as part of an intensified campaign against drug use among public transport drivers.