PDEA Conducts Random Drug Tests for Cotabato Drivers and Conductors

Commuters heading to the provinces for Undas 2026 faced a heavily scrutinized transport network on Tuesday, Oct. 27, as anti-narcotics authorities fanned out across major regional terminals. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Bangsamoro Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM) conducted surprise drug tests and canine inspections to secure public transport, according to newsinfo.inquirer.net.

That regional sweep mirrors broader nationwide enforcement efforts under Oplan Harabas or Drug Test Muna Bago Pasada, an initiative designed to prevent road accidents and purge the public utility vehicle sector of drug dependents. While Cotabato City operations yielded clean results, simultaneous sweeps elsewhere in the country caught several transport workers failing initial screenings.

Oplan Harabas Sweeps Cotabato City Terminals

The operation in Cotabato City kicked off early Tuesday morning under the direct command of Paul Alcovindas, PDEA-BARMM director. Authorities targeted three major public transport hubs, subjecting a combined total of 82 bus drivers, conductors, and dispatchers to mandatory, unannounced drug screenings.

Every single worker tested turned out negative for illicit substance use. The local sweep operated hand-in-hand with the Cotabato City Police Office alongside local regulatory bodies tasked with overseeing the city’s transport grid. Beyond the physical screenings, PDEA narcotic detection dogs combed through the luggage compartments of passenger vans and buses, while officers handed out information, education, and communication materials on drug awareness to drivers and travelers alike.

Regional Contrast and Positive Results in Cebu City

While Cotabato City workers tested negative, operations reported by GMA Network in Cebu City during similar holiday preparations caught multiple operators failing their screenings. Authorities at the South and North Bus Terminals in Cebu tested upwards of 160 drivers and conductors as part of regional preparations for Kalag-Kalag 2026.

At the Cebu North Bus Terminal, one bus driver and two conductors tested positive, according to PDEA Region 7 Director Joel Plaza. Meanwhile, four individuals tested positive for suspected shabu at the South Bus Terminal, comprising three taxi drivers and one bus driver. Officials noted that initial screening failures will face confirmatory testing at the PDEA7 laboratory.