A van driver in Cagayan de Oro City tested positive for illegal drugs during a surprise drug test under “Oplan Harabas” on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, as part of heightened safety measures for Holy Week.

From more than 100 public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers who underwent the drug test, only one tested positive, based on results of the screening.

The drug test was conducted at the city’s two major terminals: Agora Terminal in Barangay Lapasan and Westbound Terminal in Barangay Bulua.

The drug test was carried out by personnel of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) in Northern Mindanao.

“Right there and then, nung tested nato nga positive, ang kato nga individual during our initial screening. After that, we confiscated his driver’s license ug gihatag namo sa representative sa LTO,” PDEA-10 Assistant Regional Director, Mary Leslie Sharon Maquilang, said.

The van driver reportedly cooperated with authorities and followed the required procedures.

“Gidala na dayon ang iyang urine samples for confirmatory. Kana nga individual, moadto mi sa ilaha, kung asa siya gapuyo sa iyahang balay, sa ilang barangay kung where siya na-belong and then i-advise namo nga mag-apil siya og kanang drug rehabilitation program,” Maquilang added.

Authorities maintained that conducting surprise drug tests among PUV drivers  is important to ensure passenger safety.

“Kasi dapat ma-promote nato ang responsible driving kay kung kabalo ka nga kani atong mga drivers nga gagamit og illegal nga droga, magdala gyud ni og kabalaka sa atong mga commuters kay maghatod man na sila og pasahero,” Maquilang said.