Ten W. Visayas drivers flunk confirmatory drug tests

By Jennifer P. Rendon

All 10 drivers who initially failed drug screening under Oplan Harabas in Western Visayas later tested positive in confirmatory tests, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 6 said.

Ma. Graziella Tanaleon, PDEA-6 public information officer, said Tuesday that nine of the drivers tested positive for methamphetamine, or shabu, while one tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol, the principal psychoactive component of cannabis.

On March 30, PDEA-6, the Land Transportation Office and other government agencies launched the three-day Oplan Harabas with surprise drug tests and K9 sweeps at major transport terminals across Western Visayas.

A total of 822 transport personnel were tested during the operation, including 761 drivers and 61 conductors.

On the first day, six drivers — one jeepney driver and five tricycle drivers — tested positive in the initial screening.

The first-day operations were conducted in Aklan, Antique, Capiz and Iloilo.

The terminals covered were Kalibo CityMall Terminal in Aklan, Culasi Ceres Terminal, Tibiao TODA Terminal and San Jose Transport Terminal in Antique, Pueblo de Panay Integrated Terminal in Roxas City, and Sara Public Transport Terminal in Iloilo.

On March 31, two taxi drivers also tested positive in the initial screening.

They were among 607 transport personnel tested in six transport terminals in Iloilo province, Iloilo City and Guimaras.

The screening sites included Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo, Jordan Port in Guimaras, Old Tagbak Terminal in Iloilo City, Ceres Terminal in Jaro, Iloilo City, Buenavista Port in Guimaras, and Robinsons Pavia Terminal in Ungka II, Pavia, Iloilo.

On April 1, two more taxi drivers failed the initial drug screening.

They were among 100 drivers tested at Dumangas Port in Barangay Sapao, Dumangas, Iloilo.

Those tested included 68 tricycle drivers, 11 truck drivers, nine taxi drivers, four van drivers, three traditional jeepney drivers, two transport network vehicle service drivers, two private vehicle drivers and one bus driver.

Oplan Harabas aims to ensure that drivers are fit to travel and not under the influence of illegal drugs while transporting passengers.

The operation also included K9 sweeps in public transport terminals as part of efforts to promote safe and drug-free travel during Holy Week.

After the initial positive results, the drivers were referred for confirmatory testing within 24 hours and for appropriate intervention.

The LTO also confiscated the licenses of those who failed the tests and barred them from continuing their trips.

PDEA-6 said the operation forms part of its demand-reduction strategy, its campaign for drug-free workplaces and its road-safety efforts.

The agency said the crackdown also aims to prevent the use of public vehicles in transporting illegal drugs and to reduce road accidents involving drivers under the influence of prohibited substances.

Aside from LTO-6, Oplan Harabas was conducted with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, the Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development, Police Regional Office 6, city and municipal police stations, the PNP Highway Patrol Group in Region 6, local government units, city and municipal health offices, the provincial governments of Aklan, Antique, Capiz and Iloilo, and civil society organizations.

The operation was implemented in line with Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Republic Act No. 10586, which penalizes driving under the influence of alcohol, dangerous drugs and similar substances.