Joy Belmonte: House-to-house drug testing OK
Policemen ask a resident to undergo drug testing in Barangay Payatas, Quezon City yesterday. Police officers have been going from house to house in Payatas, telling residents to have themselves tested for illegal drugs on the spot as part of a ‘drug-clearing drive. MICHAEL VARCAS
MANILA, Philippines - Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte yesterday said she sees nothing wrong with the house-to-house drug testing being conducted by police in slum areas in the city.
Belmonte, who heads the Quezon City Anti-Illegal Drug Abuse Advisory Council (QCADAAC), said the initiative was part of the clearing program of the local government.
She said the drug testing was agreed upon by stakeholders, including barangay officials, religious leaders, non-government organizations and the Quezon City Police District (QCPD).
According to Belmonte, the house-to-house visitations are conducted by police along with community leaders.
She said protocols are in place to ensure that the residents are not forced to undergo drug testing.
“Assuming that this is the process followed, QCADAAC has no objection,” she said in a text message to The STAR.
QCPD director Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar said they did not violate any law in conducting the anti-drug campaign.
He said the program was initiated and funded by the barangays.
“The drug testing is voluntary,” he said.
Eleazar said they have set up testing sites in the barangays for drug dependents who want to be part of the community rehabilitation program.
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