Two PUV drivers admit using shabu

CEBU, Philippines - Two more drivers of public utility vehicles were found positive of shabu during a surprise roadside drug testing conducted by personnel of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) at the North Reclamation Area yesterday morning.

Seventy drivers were subjected to initial testing, but only showed traces of using shabu.

“Naka-drug test ta og 72 ka drivers pero duha ra kanila ang positibo sa illegal nga drugas,” said Macario Getaruelas, chief of the LTO 7 operations branch.

Getaruelas said those found positive of traces of shabu were a PUJ driver plying the Danao City - Cebu City route and a driver of RP-Corominas taxi.

Both of them have admitted having used shabu to keep them awake while driving. The LTO confiscated their driver’s licenses pending results of the confirmatory drug test. Should the confirmatory test prove them positive of drug use, their licenses will be revoked.

Last Thursday, 10 of 71 PUV drivers subjected to testing along Imus Avenue were found traces of using shabu.

LTO-7 Regional Director Raul Aguilos said the surprise roadside drug test is part of LTO’s 10-year road safety program aimed at reducing traffic accidents which is considered as one of the leading causes of death in the world.

The surprise drug tests inadvertently delayed the travel of passengers of PUVs, but those interviewed by The FREEMAN said they did not mind because the same is for the common good. — (FREEMAN)