• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Twenty transport workers in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, are facing administrative sanctions after confirmatory drug tests validated their positive results following a surprise inter-agency operation dubbed Oplan Harabas.
The operation, conducted on January 29, screened a total of 193 transport workers, leading to the identification of 14 truck drivers, three tricycle drivers, one jeepney driver, one e-trike driver, and one truck helper who tested positive for illegal substances.
The Land Transportation Office–Negros Island Region (LTO-NIR) confirmed that the validated findings will serve as the official basis for imposing penalties in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
The joint operation was conducted by the LTO-NIR OIC, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Police Regional Office, and the Regional Highway Patrol Unit.
LTO-NIR said in a statement that the surprise inspections will remain a regular fixture across the region to ensure that the public transport sector remains drug-free.*
