The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Wednesday revealed that the truck driver involved in the fatal 28 May road incident that killed three people on Batasan-San Mateo Road in Barangay Batasan Hills has tested positive for illegal drugs.

QCPD acting director Col. Randy Glenn Silvio confirmed that a complaint for reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide, multiple physical injuries and multiple damage to property was filed against the suspect, identified only as “Eruel,” on 30 May.

Authorities subjected Eruel to both an alcohol breath analyzer (ABA) test and a drug test, in accordance with Section 7 of Republic Act (RA) 10586, also known as the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013. The Land Transportation Office (LTO) conducted the ABA test, which yielded a negative result.

However, the drug test, conducted by the QCPD Forensic Unit, returned a positive result for shabu and a subsequent thorough inspection of the Isuzu 10-wheeler truck involved in the crash found no illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia.

Silvio said that the suspect will face additional charges for violating RA 10586 before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.

“This case serves as a clear warning to those who drive under the influence of illegal drugs: you will be held fully accountable under the law,” Silvio said.

He added that the penalty for such an offense, resulting in death, is severe, carrying a sentence of reclusion temporal, or a maximum of 12 to 20 years in prison, along with a fine of P300,000 to P500,000.