Prelate: Shame campaign will not solve drug problem

One of the prelates of the Cebu Archdiocese underscored that a shame campaign associated in the government's antiillegal drug program greatly offends the dignity a person.

Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Dennis Villarojo said the dignity of a human person is "inviolable" and is considered as sacred and that has to be respected.

"Kining shame campaign ug kining pagpamatay, supak gyud kini sa dignidad sa tawo," he told reporters.

According to him, such program does not offer a positive approach in addressing the proliferation of the illegal drug use and trade.

In resolving the drug menace, he said there has to be an alternative scheme that is more effective and, at the same time, gives respect to human life.

Villarojo said the program must rather assist people trapped in the illegal drug problem, rather than put them to shame.

One of the concrete actions he pointed out is the community-based drug recovery program which integrates spiritual formation to help inflicted people change their old ways and restore their lives.

He, however, said this program may be more inconvenient to managers or facilitators since it entails rigorous process and higher costs.

If authorities choose to shaming people, chances are, these drug personalities may not care about it or just ignore them, he said.

"Ang uban dili na moatiman ug mamahala na lang kung unsay ikasulti sa uban basta sila nagumon ug wala nay makatabang nila kung dili ang kaning drugas," Villarojo said.

He added these activities are what the Church wants to prevent people from losing hope or their sense of self-worth.

The issue erupted when the shame campaign was initiated by Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City barangay officials with the support of the city's police.

They spray-painted on doors of those identified drug dens in the barangay.

The same initiative was also condemned by the Commission on Human Rights-7 and other pro-life advocates.