QCPD eyes bringing back house-to-house drug tests

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) is considering the reimplementation of the house-to-house drug testing and surveying following its recent court win, an official said yesterday.

There is no longer any prohibition for the police to continue the initiative implemented in Barangays South Triangle and Payatas A, which was questioned by residents, QCPD director Chief Superintendent Joselito Esquivel said.

The Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 100 dismissed the petition to stop house-to-house drug testing and surveying, citing former QCPD director Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar’s manifestation that they stopped conducting the operation prior to the filing of the case.

“With the decision there is no prohibition for the police in continuing this kind of activity or initiative. However, we have Double Barrel Reloaded and the Tokhang operation. We will consider it if it is still applicable with the present situation,” he said during a briefing.

National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Camilo Cascolan said they support such “endeavors” but there should be supplemental guidelines in its implementation.

Cascolan said the police are only supporting the anti-illegal drug initiatives of the barangay.

He added that drug tests should be done in the barangay hall and police would only act in information dissemination efforts during set hours.

“It is the barangay that does this and we support it,” he told reporters.