FOUR out of 24 truck drivers tested positive for illegal drugs were arrested by combined personnel of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and Philippine National Police (PNP) during random anti-drunk and drugged operations in Gumaca, Quezon, Tuesday, a ranking official of the agency reported.

Lawyer Clarence V. Guinto, LTO-Law Enforcer Service (LES) Director, said the successful operation was launched in cooperation with the PNP and other government agencies to ensure the safety of passengers, drivers, conductors and pedestrians.

The drivers who tested positive for illegal drugs were turned over to the PNP.

Guinto said the agency with the guidance of Assistant Secretary and LTO Chief Edgar Galvante intensified its operations with the PNP and other government agencies after they declared an all-out-war against erring drivers nationwide.

The operation was supervised by Guinto as head of LTO-LES, PNP Region 4A Regional Director Gen. Eliseo Cruz, PNP Quezon Provincial Dir. Col. Joel Villanueva and LTO Region 4A Dir. Atty. Bernadette San Luis-Lutey.

The program is in preparation for the holiday seasons and expected exodus of commuters to the provinces, said Guinto.

“Simultaneous operations ito nationwide kaya yung ibang composite teams sa ibang mga regions ay kasabay ng team na ito na nagsasagawa ng operations against erring drivers lalo na yung mga lango sa drugs habang nagmamaneho,” said Guinto.

“The agency cannot entrust the lives of passengers to drivers who are under the influence of any prohibited drug, substance or alcohol. Not to mention PUVs that can endanger the lives not only of passengers on board but anyone on the street who can be a victim of accidents caused by vehicles that are not in the condition for the road use,” Guinto added.

Guinto said the composite team also visited the Lucena terminal also in Quezon and conducted random drug testing. Nobody out of the 75 bus drivers who underwent the test were found to be positive for drug use.

We strongly sent a message to all erring drivers, bus owners and operators that we will run after them all erring drivers particularly using illegal drugs. Sa ngayon ang team ang papunta ng Region 5 sa Bicol, tapos tatawid kami Visayas at Mindanao Region pabalik ng Metro Manila. Napakahalaga ng BUHAY at isa lang ito, kaya bilang mga inaasahan po nyang public servants at hanggang nandirito kami sisiguraduhin po namin ang inyong kaligtasan sa kalsada sa nationwide,” said Guinto.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Jun I. Legaspi