A total of 61 drivers and other public transport personnel tested positive for the use of illegal drugs during the nationwide implementation of surprise drug test as part of the road safety measures for the exodus of people to their respective provinces for the Holy Week.
The operation was part of the Oplan Harabas of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) which is being conducted in various bus, jeepney, tricycle and other public utility vehicle terminals across the country.
PDEA Director General Wilkins Villanueva said that aside from drivers, those who tested positive include dispatchers, conductors and other employees of public utility vehicle companies.
Out of the total drivers who yielded positive for the use of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu and marijuana, 20 were tricycle drivers; 10 were jeepney drivers; 11 were bus drivers; seven were van drivers; seven were tricycle drivers; five were conductors; and one dispatcher.
Villanueva said the drivers who tested positive for drug use upon confirmatory test will not be allowed to travel and have their licenses confiscated by the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
"They must undergo appropriate intervention and reformation programs to be provided by their respective local Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADACs) before reclaiming their licenses," said Villanueva.
More than 4,000 people were subjected to drug test since Friday, April 8, across the country as part of the Oplan Harabas, which Villanueva said, is part of the PDEA's holistic approach in reducing the demand for illegal drugs, promoting drug-free workplaces, and reformation.
"We also conducted K9 sweeping operations in public transport terminals, including the country’s high-risk airports and seaports, to detect concealed illegal drugs carried by passengers," said Villanueva.
Done on a regular basis, OPLAN: “HARABAS” was implemented in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 9165, or The Comprehensive Dangerous Act of 2002”, and Republic Act No.10586, or the “Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013”, as well as Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Regulation No. 2 Series of 2004, aimed to curb road accidents caused by drugged drivers.
“There is no doubt that there is a prevailing practice of drug use among the public transport driving population to keep awake while behind the wheel. Oplan Harabas is an effective deterrent to lessen drug-related road accidents and protect innocent lives,” Villanueva said.