Drivers undergo surprise drugs tests

AUTHORITIES conducted random drug tests in major transport terminals in Iloilo City on Tuesday.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 6 (PDEA-6), together with the Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), led the surprise testing of 29 drivers in three different transports terminals.

David Abraham Garcia, PDEA-6 spokesperson, said the move is part of their Oplan UndaSpot, a campaign on drug-using drivers and conductors prior to the All Souls’ and All Saints’ Days, Nov 1-2, 2018.

“This is part of our aim to ensure the safety of the riding public who will flock to provinces before, during, and after the All Souls’ Day,” he added.

The team’s first stop was at the Ceres Bus Terminal at Barangay Buhang, Jaro district where 14 bus drivers were randomly picked to undergo the drug test.

Together with the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) and Public Safety and Transportation Management Office of the Iloilo City government, the team proceeded to the transports terminals in Barangay Ungka, Jaro and in Barangay San Pedro, Molo.

Eight drivers undergo drug test in Ungka and seven in Molo.

Garcia noted that the drivers have been cooperative with their campaign and not one of them refused.

Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent Martin Defensor, Iloilo City police chief, has also saw the inspection as an opportunity to check the deployment of policemen in transport terminals all over Iloilo City.

Defensor said they have deployed 520 police officers for the traditional “undas.” They are scattered in different transport terminals, cemeteries, churches, malls, and other places of convergence.

Some officers were also tasked to man the traffic in major thoroughfares in the city.