CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Five public utility transport workers tested positive for methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu, during a surprise anti-drug operation at two major bus terminals in the city on October 27, raising renewed concerns over passenger safety and drug prevention in the public transportation sector.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 10 (PDEA RO10), together with partner government agencies, conducted the operation under Oplan Harabas 2026, beginning at 9 a.m. and covering the Eastbound Integrated Bus Terminal in Agora and the Westbound Integrated Bus Terminal in Bulua.
PDEA RO10 Regional Director Alex M. Tablate led the joint operation, which involved the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Highway Patrol Group Regional Office 10 (HPG 10), and Police Regional Office 10 (PRO 10).
Authorities subjected 106 drivers and conductors operating buses, vans, taxis, and jeepneys to mandatory random drug testing. Five individuals yielded positive initial results for shabu, prompting authorities to initiate the prescribed follow-up procedures.
The results underscore the importance of maintaining drug-free standards among public utility vehicle operators, whose alertness and fitness to work are critical to preventing road accidents and protecting passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists.
Beyond drug testing, the joint team deployed K9 units, conducted terminal paneling, and distributed information, education, and communication (IEC) materials to transport workers and commuters. These activities were intended to strengthen public awareness, discourage illegal drug use, and prevent transport terminals from being exploited for drug-related activities.
PDEA RO10 said the operation forms part of its continuing campaign to prevent drug personalities from using transportation hubs for illegal activities while ensuring that drivers and conductors serving the public are sober, alert, and fit for duty.
Authorities stressed that road safety must remain a year-round priority, particularly as passenger movements increase during peak travel periods and the holiday season.
“Every trip should be safe so that the riding public can go home to their loved ones safely—not only during the holiday season,” authorities said, warning that drivers under the influence of illegal drugs put passengers and other road users at risk.
Those who tested positive in the initial screening will temporarily lose their driver’s licenses while awaiting confirmatory test results, according to the agency’s announcement. They will also be referred to their respective Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADACs) for appropriate intervention, rehabilitation, and monitoring.
The initial results, however, are not equivalent to final confirmation of drug use. The confirmatory testing process will determine whether the findings are upheld and what further action may be warranted under applicable rules and procedures.
PDEA RO10 assured the public that random and surprise anti-drug operations will continue at transportation terminals across Northern Mindanao as part of its broader efforts to promote safer roads, protect commuters, and sustain drug-free communities.
The operation also serves as a reminder that public transportation safety depends not only on vehicle roadworthiness and compliance with traffic regulations but also on the fitness and accountability of the people entrusted with passengers’ lives.