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Friday, March 29, 2024

Drivers take drug tests ahead of ‘Undas’

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The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Monday initiated a simultaneous mandatory drug test on bus drivers in Metro Manila.

In other developments:

• Immigration officers assigned in all airports have been placed on heightened alert before the Halloween break following reports that human trafficking syndicates here plan to take advantage of the holidays to smuggle victims in and out of the country.

BI Port Operations Division Chief Grifton Medina has ordered all of the Bureau’s airport terminal heads and supervisors to immediately implement strict immigration assessment as part of “Oplan Undas,” which will last until Nov. 4.

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• The Philippine National Police has put in place security and deployment plans in the ports, terminals and major thoroughfares across the country in anticipation of the exodus of people to the provinces to celebrate All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

• Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie Kittilstvedt-Romualdez on Monday called for a “trash-free” All Saints’/Souls’ Day this year as Filipinos prepare to spend the coming weekend in cemeteries and memorial parks to pay their respects and honor their departed loved ones. 

“While we celebrate treasured memories of those who have gone to rest in God’s embrace, let us also remember environmental considerations from the expected garbage that might be piling-up,” Romualdez said. 

“The people should help maintain cleanliness,” said Romualdez, wife of Philippine Constitution Association president Martin Romualdez who served three terms as Leyte congressman. 

Director General Aaron Aquino spearheaded Oplan “UndaSpot” in coordination with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and Land Transportation Office at the bus terminals of Victory Liner, Bicol Isarog and Araneta Center to implement a surprise drug test.

“Any driver who refuses to undergo the mandatory drug test shall be reported to the LTO,” Aquino said.

The results of the drug test were immediately turned over to the LTO.

At least one bus driver was found positive.

PDEA, however, said the driver had yet to go through a confirmatory drug test to be able to establish his supposed drug use.

Aquino said long trips, particularly by provincial drivers, could be detrimental to the safety of the passengers due to fatigue.

“The possibility that the bus drivers use illegal drugs to counter fatigue cannot be discounted,” he said.

According to PDEA, from January to September 1,287 drivers, 24 taxi drivers and 12 bus conductors were arrested for illegal drug use. 

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