Compulsory drug test violates’ inmates’ rights

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Jail Warden Arnel Peralta is against Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s suggestion to impose mandatory drug testing on all 4,370 inmates as it might “violate their human rights.”

“Ang directive nga gikan sa regional office para sa atoa, ang mandatory nato is yung uniformed personnel and parang optional ang mga inmates para dili ta maka-violate sa ilang human rights. Wala tay mahimo ana kay maoy mandate sa balaod nga dili nato sila mapugos,” he said.

Peralta was at the City Hall yesterday to attend the meeting of the city’s Police Coordinating and Advisory Council.

He was also asking financial assistance from the city government to conduct the mandatory drug testing on all jail officers and voluntary drug testing on inmates.

Initially, though, Osmeña said he will only extend help if the tests were made mandatory.

As for Peralta’s opposition, the mayor said he will first seek legal advice about it.

“But I just don’t see how, you know, by being in jail, they can’t expect to have the liberty of a person out in the street,” Osmeña said.

The mayor said he will study the whole situation, including the possible assistance that the city can give to the jail management.

He stressed that jails have become the “center of drug distribution” in the country.

By imposing mandatory drug testing on inmates, he said drug addicts can be identified. In turn, this could possibly lead to the identification of drug lords, he added.

“Let me just state outright that I have little respect for BJMP because all our drugs are being controlled by the jail not only here but also in Muntinlupa,” he said.

Osmeña said Peralta’s statement not to subject all inmates to drug testing is “bad for us.”

“Maybe it’s legal what he is saying but it’s bad for us,” he said.

Osmeña said the momentum of the country’s war against drugs is slowing down because of human rights issues. (FREEMAN)