Manila, April 15 -- Four public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers from this city tested positive for illegal drug use during the surprise drug testing operation spearheaded by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) 6 (Western Visayas) on Tuesday.

The drug test, under "Oplan Harabas," covered 156 PUV drivers of taxis, tricycles, and modernized jeepneys at the Ceres Terminal in Barangay Tagbak, Jaro and the Mohon transport terminal in Arevalo District.

LTO-6 Director Gaudioso Geduspan II said the operation was part of a broader effort to reduce road crashes linked to drivers under the influence of dangerous drugs.

"Despite intensified enforcement efforts, the Philippines still records an average of 12,000 road crash fatalities each year, with ...