Brgy. Commonwealth officials post ‘drug-free’ stickers on some houses, bypass others

Local officials of Barangay Commonwealth in Quezon City posted "drug-free" stickers on the houses of some of their constituents, raising concerns among some residents.

According to Mark Salazar's report in GMA News TV's Balitanghali on Tuesday, the officials posted the stickers on some houses but bypassed others where drug use has been "reported."

The controversial stickers bear the phrase "Towards a drug-free barangay" and are posted on the houses of residents who have undergone the free drug test offered by the barangay.

A resident questioned the process of marking homes because no one from their family availed of the drug test but a sticker was still posted on their gate.

Some barangay employees visited each house for a census and simply asked if there are drug users in the family.

A local official also said that they have initial information on the supposed drug users in each area because the purok leaders already identified which homes are drug-free and which are not.

The stickers are supposed to serve as a tracking system for anti-drug interventions in the community, the barangay officials said.

An earlier, similar anti-drug campaign strategy was criticized by the Commission on Human Rights because it could violate the individual's right to due process of law and right to privacy. This move could also result in discrimination and shaming.

Drug testing is not mandatory under existing laws in the country. — Dona Magsino/BM, GMA News