Shame campaign in Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City continues

Labeling of houses identified as drug dens continues in Barangay Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City after the Commission on Human Rights did not reportedly raise a red flag on the practice.

This was revealed by Pajo Barangay Captain Junard “Ahong” Chan yesterday, just a day after he joined an inter-agency meeting with CHR-7 officials to thresh out issues surrounding the shame campaigns initiated in Pajo, as well as in Barangay Ermita, Cebu City.

“Wala mi badlonga sa CHR, mao na nga padayon gihapon atong kampanya,” Chan told reporters on the sidelines of the PNP-Petron Lakbay Ligtas program’s relaunch in his barangay yesterday.

In September, Pajo barangay officials spray-painted the words “Identified Drug Den” on homes found used for illegal drug activities, a campaign wellsupported by the city government and the city police.

The village chief also said the initiative drew support even from residents themselves.

When the campaign was launched last month, four houses in Sitio Kamanggahan 2 were the first to get labeled. Residents, however, eventually took it upon themselves to paint their homes with the words “Balay puluyanan, dili suyopanan,” which Chan considers as the barangay’s more positive approach to the anti-drug crusade.

“Atong gipangkumbinsir ang mga durugista, ang mga drug den nga tabangi mi niining problema kay nangandoy ta nga ma-drug-free so sila boluntaryo nga mitabang nga sila na mismo ang ni-spray sa ilahang balay,” Chan said.

As part of the barangay's measures, Chan said, drug surrenderers are also given intervention like spiritual counseling and physical fitness activities.

CAN’T AGREE

In Cebu City, Barug Team Rama councilors expressed differing views on the labeling of houses.

Councilor Joel Garganera, citing the move as an effective deterrent against crimes, is in favor of the shame campaign as long as there is proper validation of the intelligence report.

“I agree with the barangay captain there in LapuLapu. That's my opinion,” he said.

Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia also maintained his earlier position that he is amenable to labels only if the positive approach, or posting “This is a drug-free home” stickers rather than “Identified Drug Den,” is used.

“You are giving credit where credit is due. So katong mga balay nga wala nagbuhat og kanang drug activities, they should be rewarded by putting a sticker on their homes. In that sense, I still support that particular move sa Barangay Ermita and the Association of Barangay Councils, but I will also, at the same time, respect them kung ila nang undangon,” Garcia said.

Councilor Eduardo Rama Jr. shared the opinion of Garcia.

But not Councilor Pastor “Jun” Alcover Jr., who said he was not sold to the whole idea of labeling, whether in a positive or negative way.

Alcover said the most effective way to deal with drugs is to educate the people on its negative effects.

“Kanang pirmiro about shame or positive campaign para nako dili ko mo-support ana kay walay komo kung maghimo gyud ka og usa ka educational program for the barangay people. Mao nay pinaka-positive nga sultihan gyud sila, pasabton sila, silang tanan i-encourage to attend to that kind of education program for them to understand,” Alcover said.

Ermita became the first barangay in Cebu City to label houses as “drug-free” and as “drug dens” last week, although the campaign has been stopped amid human rights concerns.

During the inter-agency meeting with the CHR-7, Cebu City officials, including those from Ermita, agreed to suspend the shame campaign as they seek new ways consistent to human rights principles.

Even then, Mayor Tomas Osmeña reiterated yesterday his support to Ermita Barangay Captain Felicisimo “Imok” Rupinta's stalled house-to-house labeling drive.

“The initial move of Imok in promoting (the bad effects of illegal) drugs was the best thing he has ever done to his barangay in the last 20 years,” Osmeña said.