INTER-GOVERNMENT agencies relaunched Anti-Overloading Mobile Operations in Metro Manila and Region 3 that resulted in the apprehension of 325 trucks Wednesday night until dawn.
LTO-National Capital Region-West Director, lawyer Clarence V. “Chuck” Guinto , concurrent director of the LTO-Law Enforcement Section, who led the operations said eight out of 325 truck drivers flagged down were found positive for shabu.
Guinto said his counterpart, LTO-Region 3 Director Eduardo de Guzman, who closely supervised the operations reported that 178 out of 325 trucks violated the overloading law.
In a separate interview, De Guzman said the composite team composed of LTO,NCR-West,LES, LTO-Region 3, Department of Public Works and Highways, North Luzon Expressway, PNP-Crime Laboratory and Highway Patrol Group also apprehended 153 motorists who violated various traffic violations.
De Guzman said that of the truck drivers who tested positive for shabu, four were flagged down at the exit point of NLEX, Karuhatan in Valenzuela City, three were flagged down in Bocaue, Bulacan, and one along the stretch of Lacson.
During the testing operation conducted by PNP-Crime Lab personnel, the eight were found positive for shabu.
De Guzman said the LTO under the leadership of Assistant Secretary and LTO Chief Edgar Galvante has intensified the campaign against violators of the anti-overloading law in response to complaints that trucks are commiting said violations round-the-clock and destroying main roads and highways.
“Proven naman talaga sa study, maraming mga bloody accidents involving trucks ay puro overloaded, at kaya mabilis mawasak ang mga main roads at highways natin dahil sa mga overloaded trucks na bumibiyahe, at nagulat sila kahit midnight until dawn may composite team pa,” said De Guzman.
Guinto said the professional driver’s license of the shabu-positive truck drivers will be revoked permanent, under Republic Act 10586 Sec. 12. They will also be facing criminal charges.
“We the LTO and our law enforcement partners are sending a strong message to all truck drivers, owners, and motorists — we will not spare you, we will run after you,” said Guinto.
The owners and operators of the apprehended trucks will be also summoned by LTO-LES for questioning.
“It would be good for all of us to help each other. Maganda para sa kapakinabangan ng lahat sumunod tayo sa batas,” said Guinto.
