AT LEAST three taxi drivers in Cagayan de Oro City have been tested positive for illegal drug use during the simultaneous surprise mandatory drug test to all drivers of jeepney, taxi, tricycle and other public utility vehicle, last Friday, March 29.
The drivers were tested for the presence of methamphetamine hydrochloride, known as shabu, and its metabolite, after the anti-narcotics agents in Northern Mindanao implemented its anti-illegal drug campaign dubbed as “Oplan Halabas: Drug Test Muna Bago Pasada”.
Agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Northern Mindanao conducted the drug test in Westbound Integrated Terminal in Bulua and Eastbound Integrated Terminal in Agora, Lapasan, this city.
A total of 108 drivers have underwent the drug test-van (21), tricycle (11), taxi (32), and jeepney (44).
PDEA-Northern Mindanao spokesperson Rosemarie Bajao said the drivers who were tested positive for drug use will be turned over to the Land Transportation Office (LTO) which has the jurisdiction and control for the drivers.
“Naay program for drug free workplace and every office. Kami lang mag conduct sa drug test but ang sanctions sa mga agency concern na,” Bajao said.
(We have a program for drug-free workplace and every office. We have to conduct the drug test but the sanctions will be the PDEA’s concerns)
PDEA agents also distributed drug preventive information and education materials to passengers and vendors in said terminals.
“Driving under the influence of illegal drugs such as shabu, cocaine, and other substances can definitely cause traffic accidents on the road. PDEA, as the lead agency in the anti-drug campaign, has innate responsibility to undertake measures to thwart illegal drugs from being a cause of road traffic accidents,” PDEA-Northern Mindanao said in a press release.
Meanwhile, two target-listed drug personality in Valencia City, Bukidnon were arrested in a separate operations, last Thursday.
PDEA-Northern Mindanao arrested Reynan Mrinay in Purok 16A, Poblacion and Erwin Ferraris in Barangay Batangan in Valencia City.
Authorities seized nearly P30,000 worth of suspected shabu from the suspects.
Suspects were now detained and will face drug charges.