Bus drivers, conductors tested for illegal drugs
ONLY ONE TESTED POSITIVE
ONLY one of the 150 drivers and conductors of buses plying Dagupan City-Metro Manila, who took the random drug testing under Oplan Harabas implemented by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on April 8 tested positive for illegal drugs.
Richie Camacho, PDEA provincial director, did not identify the driver found positive for illegal drugs nor the company that employs him but told newsmen the person was held and his driver’s license confiscated.
The positive result in the drug testing of the driver was sent to the PDEA regional office for confirmation and PDEA recommended the suspension of the driver by his company.
Oplan Harabas was conducted by PDEA provincial office among drivers and conductors of Solid North, Victory Liner and Five Star in cooperation with the provincial city and police offices. Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Land Transportation Office and the Philippine Coast Guard.
The ticketing employees of the bus companies, all women, did not show up for drug testing although they will be made to take the drug test soon.
Camacho told newsmen that Oplan Harabas is conducted by PDEA during the peak season, like before the Holy Week, during summer vacation, Undas and Christmas when families in Metro Manila travel back to their provinces passengers and whose lives and limbs at risk if the drivers of buses are on drugs.
Meanwhile, Camacho revealed that Pangasinan is 85 percent drug cleared, and except for one, so far all the drugs personalities they have arrested and charged in court didn’t go back to their illegal drug trading activities.
The recidivist arrested in Calasiao is from Dagupan City from whom P400,000 worth of shabu was seized, he said. The suspect had previous cases for illegal drug. (Butch Uka)
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