PDEA, LTFRB sign deal with transport network firms to prevent being used to deliver illegal drugs

January 11, 2018

The government’s anti-drug campaign got a big boost with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to prevent the use of public transport in delivering illegal drugs.

“Realizing that drug syndicates have exploited the use of transport network vehicle services (TNVS), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and transportation network companies signed the MOU to stop this new trend of drug trafficking,” PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said in a statement Thursday.

Other signatories were LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III, and key officials of country-based transport network companies, Laurence Cua, general manager of Uber Systems, Inc; Brian Matthew Cu, country head of Grab and Nicolas Jose Laude III of U-Hop,who inked the agreement in a ceremony held on Wednesday at the PDEA national headquarters in Quezon City.

Aquino said drug syndicates now use TNVS or mobile-based application of TNCs to deliver their illicit goods concealed inside packages right at the doorsteps of their intended receivers.

Under the MOU, the parties have committed themselves to interdict and prevent the transportation of packages containing illegal drugs using drivers/operators of TNVS, identify and report timely intelligence information for the purpose of anti-drug operations; and implement applicable policies on drug-free workplace in the TNCs premises.

PDEA shall take the lead role in the conduct of overall investigation, arrest and subsequent filing of drug cases in cooperation with LTRFB and TNCs. Also, PDEA shall map out plans in the prevention of the drug delivery and conduct training to contracting parties relevant to the anti-drug law.

Aquino said that under the MOU, “the TNCs shall communicate with partners and drivers on the dissemination of the detailed PDEA contact information for the speedy relay of criminal and other suspicious activities to authorities”.

“The signed agreement among PDEA, LTFRB and TNCs is a step forward in achieving a new partnership that would suppress the use of TNCs drivers from being exploited as unknowing drug couriers and finally put a stop to this emerging drug trend,” the PDEA chief said. DMS