MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Monday conducted simultaneous surprise drug tests on public utility vehicle drivers ahead of the expected passenger volume surge on All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
PDEA Deputy General for Operations Gregorio Pimentel said they launched “Undaspot” with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to ensure the safety of commuters heading home to their provinces.
“Ito ang purpose ay para sa kapakanan, sa seguridad ng ating mga commuting public na ineensure po natin sila na sila ay nasa isang driver na wala sa impluwensya ng droga, hindi lasing (This is for the sake of our commuting public’s security and safety and to ensure they will be in the hands of drivers who are not under the influence of drugs or alcohol), Pimentel said in a chance interview.
PDEA, LTO and LTFRB conducted surprise drug tests at the JAC Liner Bus Terminal and Philtranco in Pasay City and Partas Bus Terminal and Five Star Bus Terminal in Quezon City.
Should drivers test positive in the initial and confirmatory tests, Pimentel said their driver’s license will be forfeited and will be required to undergo reformatory or rehabilitation process.
“Pag positive po sila, sila ay masusubject sa confirmatory test. Kung maconfirm po sila, their driver’s license will automatically be forfeited and they will be undergoing reformatory or depende, kung rehabilitation na process sila (If they test positive, they will be subjected to a confirmatory test. And if they are confirmed, their driver’s license will automatically be forfeited and they will be undergoing reformatory or rehabilitation process),” said Pimentel.
Pimentel said “Undaspot” will not only cover the National Capital Region (NCR), but all regions nationwide. /gsg