UNTIL a better campaign format against illegal drugs is formed, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR)-Central Visayas is asking all barangays to stop posting stickers on or hanging tarpaulin signs outside households.
CHR 7 officials, members of Cebu City law enforcement and government offices, Ermita Barangay Captain Felicisimo Rupinta and Pajo Barangay Captain Junard Chan of Lapu-Lapu City gathered for a dialogue yesterday to discuss efforts to address the drug problem in the community level.
Last month, Chan started a shame campaign against drug personalities by marking the rooms of four rented houses in Sitio Kamanggahan as a drug den.
He posted a cardboard outside each room that said “identified drug den area” so everyone would know that the person inside the room used illegal substances.
A month later, Rupinta also initiated a house-to-house anti-drug campaign in Ermita.
He posted tarpaulins containing the words “This House is Drug-Free” on households last Thursday. However, Rupinta stopped the practice the next day, following reports that he was violating human rights.
During the dialogue, Atty. Arvin Odron, CHR 7 director, said that labeling households as either drug-free or a drug den is discriminatory. But if the posting is initiated by the homeowners, then this can fall under “freedom of expression,” Odron said. He instead called on barangays be more aggressive in their advocacy and information campaign.
For Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) Cebu City Chapter president Philip Zafra, the posting of stickers is a response to residents’ call for a stronger enforcement of the anti-drug war.
Zafra, who is barangay captain of Tisa, said lamented that residents have been asking them to initiate the effort, hoping that those involved in illegal drugs will heed authorities.
“This is our way of stepping up our advocacy. Dili paigo ang adbokasiya, kani gyung pagpamiliit ang makaigo (An advocacy isn’t enough). But, I guess we’ll just have to change our ways,” he said.
CHR 7 chief investigator Leo Villarin again pointed out that once the government gets involved, the practice becomes discriminatory.
He suggested tapping private entities to fund the production of stickers and manage the posting. This way, it becomes an exercise of freedom, instead of committing human rights violations.
The ABC board also suggested using the phrase “This family supports a drug-free community” for stickers instead of “drug-free.”
In the meantime, all forms of house-to-house campaign involving labeling have been ordered stopped.
Chan and Rupinta, although firm in their methods, supported the request to suspend their anti-drug campaigns.
Sought for comment, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña maintained that he sees nothing wrong with labeling identified drug-free households.