LTFRB to Uber, Grab: Deactivate drivers delivering illegal drugs

Uber and Grab offer doorstep express deliveries using cars and motorbikes that are covered by insurance and real-time tracking and notification alerts. (PNA photo)

MANILA— The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has directed transportation network companies Uber and Grab to deactivate their accredited drivers if they are found to be involved in delivering illegal drugs.

This comes as the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) warned transport network vehicle services (TNVS) drivers not to allow themselves to be used as unwitting couriers of illegal drugs.

In a statement Tuesday, the LTFRB said it will recommend to the LTO the blacklisting of a TNVS driver who might be implicated in any illegal drug related activity. The Board will also blacklist those involved as a public utility vehicle (PUV) driver.

It is also set to issue a memorandum circular for the mandatory drug testing of PUV drivers.

LTFRB and PDEA will create a technical working group with the TNCs for coordination purposes.

Grab has signed an agreement with the Philippine National Police–Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) to train TNVS drivers on detecting suspicious packages on Tuesday at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

The training program will focus on road courtesy and traffic safety laws, road crash responder and anti-criminality.

The PNP is eyeing to utilize Grab drivers as its force multipliers in the campaign against illegal drugs and criminality.

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino earlier noted that drug syndicates have learned to utilize the mobile applications of transportation network companies through registering fictitious names and pre-activated SIM cards to avoid detection.

Uber and Grab offer doorstep express deliveries using cars and motorbikes that are covered by insurance and real-time tracking and notification alerts.