Cagayan de oro: During a surprise drug test on Wednesday, the joint ‘Oplan Harabas’ operation here identified seven bus drivers who tested positive for illegal drug use.
According to Philippines News Agency, Alex Tablate, director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 10 (Northern Mindanao), said 109 bus drivers and conductors underwent pre-drug testing as part of preparations for the yearly Undas, or the observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days every November 1 and 2. “The initiative aims to ensure drug-free roads by implementing surprise mandatory drug testing for drivers and conductors of public utility vehicles,” he stated. PDEA-10 will administer another confirmatory test to the drivers in question.
Apart from PDEA-10, Oplan Harabas is in partnership with the regional offices of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, the Philippine National Police, the Highway Patrol Group, and the Land Transportation Office. The group initiated the tests in public terminals.
Meanwhile, the local government here will offer free rides to the Bolonsori City Memorial Park on November 1 and 2. Mayor Rolando Uy also issued Executive Order (EO) 0415-2025-A for the same initiative from October 31 to November 2. The EO will cover public and private cemeteries and memorial parks and impose visiting hours from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The same EO also prohibited the public from bringing and selling liquor, firearms, and other bladed weapons, as well as smoking, vaping, and turning on a loud sound system in cemeteries.
The regional police have committed to deploying 1,100 personnel throughout the region, including this city.
