QC residents backpedal on plea vs house-to-house drug tests

MANILA, Philippines —  Payatas residents have expressed their intention to withdraw from the case against the Quezon City Police District for conducting house-to-house drug testing, but a lawyer’s group is alleging they were pressured to do so.

The National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) said yesterday that at least one of the three petitioners told them that there was “pressure” from both the barangay officials and the local police.

NUPL-National Capital Region secretary general Maria Kristina Conti said the petitioner went to them almost two weeks ago and said he was being summoned by the barangay and that police were looking for him.

However, in an interview with The STAR, all three petitioners claimed they wanted to withdraw the case because they did not know what they were signing.

They added they were not “forced or intimidated” by police, contrary to what was stated in the petition.

Petitioner Christian Atiagan said in Filipino that the QCPD “did nothing wrong. We just want this to end. We are going up against influential people.”

Petitioner Frederick Gayloa also said he received no pressure to withdraw the case.

Another petitioner, Ma. Laura Roma Solomon, said she was “traumatized” when was summoned to a barangay hearing.

“I can’t eat, I am scared for my family,” she said.

Conti said they have yet to receive any formal communication on the withdrawal of the three petitioners but it would not affect the case.

She said another group can stand as petitioners.

Conti said it is obvious that the Payatas petitioners are under the eye of the barangay captain Julieta Peña.

Peña admitted that she called the petitioners to the barangay after a subpoena for the three reached her office but said there was nothing wrong with this.

She said the house-to-house drug testing in Payatas is nearly complete.