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BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO
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ILOILO City – The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) is offering free-drug tests to jeepney and taxi drivers of Iloilo. This program will be launched today.
According to Chief Superintendent Jose Gentiles, regional police director, the drug tests aim to ensure the safety of the riding public.
“I am initiating this activity due to the high volume of road accidents – cases of reckless imprudence resulting to damage to property or injury. The drug tests will ensure that illegal drugs are not a factor in these accidents,” Gentiles told Panay News.
According to the police general, he secured the support of taxi and jeepney operators for the free drug tests.
Taking the drug test, however, is voluntary, clarified Superintendent Gilbert Gorero, PRO-6 spokesperson.
Drivers who pass the test will get cards certifying their being drug-free. Those who fail won’t be prosecuted but will be encouraged to under community-based rehabilitation in Camp Delgado, said Gorero.
PRO-6 recorded 11,000 road accidents from January to October this year.
The Iloilo City Loop Alliance of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association previously said their group was open to drug tests.
“This is our way to assuring the public that our drivers are trustworthy, safe and drug-free,” association president Raymundo Parcon told Panay News.
In a recent meeting, according to Parcon, Gentiles told him the regional police office would take care of the drug test “tapos kami lang sa cups” for the drivers’ urine specimens./PN
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