MANILA, July 21 — Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno on Monday, July 18 directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to be on the look out for cargo truck drivers and porters who reportedly get high on drugs to be able to handle long trips.
At the same time, the DILG Chief ordered local government units and the local police to keep a tight watch on roadside eateries which are being used as front for drug transactions.
Sueno issued the directive as he received reports from the ground about the rampant use of alcohol and illegal drugs among some truckers who ply the country’s major thoroughfares to transport their goods.
“This bad habit of truck drivers of taking illegal drugs to enable them to drive long distances is very, very dangerous because as these drugs wear off, their driving ability will be impaired, which may lead to road accidents,” he said.
Sueno said he got information that some truck drivers reportedly buy marijuana and shabu from small-time drug pushers in roadside eateries where they usually stop over for a meal.
“The local police and barangay tanods should keep an active watch on the possible illegal drugs transactions in carinderias along the highways whose common patrons are truckers,” he said.
The DILG Secretary said drivers who are applying for a license to drive trucks should be subjected to regular drug tests so that they will not put their own safety as well as others’ safety at risk.
“It is very challenging to drive long hours especially at night. This is why we have to make sure that truck drivers are of sound mind and body before they start the long haul,” he said. (DILG)