The Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) is set to train drivers of Grab Philippines, a Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS), on road safety and security as government intensifies its anti-illegal drug campaign.
At the launching of the training program on Tuesday, HPG director Chief Supt. Arnel Escobal said the move is timely and relevant amid reports that drivers of taxi booking services have unknowingly become conduits in the drug trade by delivering the contraband concealed in packages.
“Siguro may katotohanan ‘yan kasi marami ng reports sa paggamit ng pag-transport n’yan, mas lalaganap ‘yung droga,” Escobal said. “Gusto namin ito kasi we need more partners. As law enforcement unit, lahat ng pwede naming makatulong sa pagsugpo ng krimen welcome sa amin.”
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) issued an advisory after an investigation showed that a suspected drug dealer from Mandaluyong City hired drivers of TNVS in delivering illegal drugs camouflaged as packages right at the doorsteps of customers.
Escobar said that if the driver learns that he is transporting illegal drugs or other illegal items, he should report it immediately to authorities or he could be tagged as an accomplice.
Grab Philippines country head Bryan Matthew Cu said the drivers have the right to refuse the delivery of packages if the sender would not allow them to check it.
“We have to be vigilant in reminding our Grab partners. We also need to show the criminal elements that we are serious in tackling this problem and prevent the senders from using the platform,” Cu said.
Cu, however, said that refusing packages for delivery had long been a practice among their drivers.
“Even before the Quiapo bombing, it’s part of the training that we always tell the Grab delivery partners,” he said.
The PNP-HPG will initially train 50 drivers of Grab in the country. Cu said there are 54,000 Grab drivers in the Philippines. /kga