'Kian Bill' for humane, health-based anti-drug war policy filed

A bill providing for a humane and health-based approach in eradicating the illegal drug problem has been filed at the House of Representatives

Akbayan Party-list Representative Perci Cendaña made the proposal under House Bill 11004 or the "Kian Bill", a measure named after 17-year old Kian delos Santos who was killed by police in an anti-drug operation in 2017.

The Kian Bill mandates government provision for humane solutions to the drug problem while also giving robust protections for individuals’ rights.

"This is a 180-degree turn from the previous Duterte administration’s bloody war on drugs which killed more than 30,000 people. The proposed law bans the use of Tokhang or drug lists, torture, unlawful police interference, and other cruel methods used in the drug war,” Cendaña said.

"The Kian Bill prevents the killing of more innocent Kians. Imbes na dahas at bala, solusyon natin ang magbigay ng karampatang lunas at direktang lingap sa mga drug users,” Cendaña added.

The said bill has a counterpart measure in the Senate filed by Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros, who is also from Akbayan.

The bill provides a community-based health approach and social support interventions.

The House Quad Committee has been investigating drug war deaths during the Duterte administration, wherein retired police colonel Royina Garma spilled that police officials were rewarded with money ranging from P20,000 to P1 million for every drug suspect killed.

The Senate has also started its probe into the drug war, wherein former President Rodrigo Duterte said he ordered police officers to encourage suspects to resist arrest so the police can kill them with justification. —KG, GMA Integrated News