Surprise drug test in Capiz nets five drivers

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — Hundreds of drivers underwent surprise drug testing on the morning of Oct. 29 at the Roxas City Integrated Terminal in Pueblo de Panay, as part of “Oplan Harabas 2025.”

The operation was conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Roxas City Police, the Land Transportation Office (LTO), and the Highway Patrol Group (HPG).

Investigation Agent III Jose Ramir Batuigas, provincial officer of PDEA-Capiz, said the initiative is part of a government-wide campaign in coordination with national agencies and the Capiz provincial government.

Oplan Harabas is a region-wide initiative that promotes commuter safety through random, mandatory drug testing of public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and conductors.

The program is part of the government’s pre-Undas safety operations aimed at preventing accidents caused by drug-impaired driving.

Thousands of commuters are expected to travel this week for All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, prompting heightened monitoring across Western Visayas.

Batuigas explained that while the drug test is technically voluntary, it is strongly encouraged for the safety of both drivers and passengers.

He said that any initial positive result will be subject to validation and confirmatory testing before sanctions, which may include the surrender of the driver’s license, are imposed.

Urine samples were used in the testing procedure.

Reports later confirmed that five drivers tested positive for illegal drug use.

PDEA Region 6 Director Rommel Torres said four of the drivers were from Antique and one was from Caticlan, Aklan.

He added that PDEA-6 is still awaiting results from other simultaneous drug tests in terminals across the region.