Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)
MANILA, Philippines—Following last week’s arrest of an airline pilot for allegedly selling illegal drugs, lawmakers are urging the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to conduct drug tests on pilots and called on the House of Representatives to start a congressional inquiry into the issue.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s (PDEA) arrest of 40-year-old pilot Rioklyn Toledo for peddling methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” should not be taken lightly, said Western Samar Representative Mel Senen Sarmiento.
He said that a congressional investigation into the incident should be conducted to ensure that commercial airlines operating in the country are safe.
House assistant majority leader Davao City Representative Karlo Alexei Nograles echoed Sarmiento’s suggestion and said that the House should not only investigate the issue but create a law or provide CAAP with recommendations on how to effectively monitor the performance of pilots.
The lawmakers found the incident very disturbing and said that pilots have always given the impression of being disciplined and professional. Sarmiento added that allowing erring pilots like Toledo to sit in an airline cockpit places thousands of passengers at risk.
Iloilo City Representative Jerry Trenas said that the image of Filipino pilots as drug dependents or drug pushers would tarnish their reputation of excellent flying skills and discipline and even prompt a ban from aviation authorities worldwide.
“CAAP should respond swiftly and conduct a massive drug testing for all pilots without any exception. We should assure the public, as well the international airline community that our pilots are drug-free and are still among the best pilots around the world,“ said Sarmiento.
“A pilot high on drugs can potentially endanger thousands of lives. If we require drug tests before issuing a simple driver’s license, we should even be stricter in issuing a pilot’s license,” Nograles said.