Several employees from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) were reported to have been dismissed from their jobs after testing positive for illegal substances.
Six out of the 1,703 personnel tested between February and August 2025 during random drug testing at 14 CAAP-operated airports were found to have tested positive for illegal drugs, the CAAP reported.
Three of these employees were based at Butuan Airport, while the remaining employees were based at the General Santos International Airport, Ozamiz Airport, and the Bacolod-Silay International Airport.
Dr. Rolly Bayaban, Office of the Flight Surgeon and Aviation Medicine (OFSAM) head, highlighted that the physical and mental health of aviation personnel is crucial for the safety and effectiveness of aviation operations.
"The drug testing aligns with the Philippine Civil Aviation Regulation on Psychoactive Testing and Reporting and the Civil Service Commission (CSC) which requires mandatory drug testing for new government employees and for employees who remain in government service. In addition, those who tested positive will be immediately dismissed from the service," CAAP said.
The aviation regulator guarantees passengers that all flights in Philippine airspace are operated by a competent and drug-free staff dedicated to maintaining the highest levels of aviation safety.
The CAAP also added that random drug-testing is an ongoing effort of the agency.
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