Legal Action

IBP-DAVAO RAISES LEGAL QUESTION ON MARKING DRUG SUSPECTS' HOUSES

THE Integrated Bar of the Philippines - Davao (IBP-Davao) has warned
authorities that spray painting drug suspects' houses may not be
within the bounds of the law and that they could face vandalism and
trespassing charges. Atty. Carlos Zarate issued this warning even as
policemen were reportedly playing safe in their anti-illegal drug
drive by putting the words 'Alsa Droga Supporter' in the houses of
suspected drug users and peddlers.

Zarate, IBP-Davao president, said the campaign could only be
considered legal if there is personal consent.

"But if the house owners refuse to allow policemen to spray paint
their structures and the police insists to do it, that becomes
illegal," he said.

Operatives of the Phil. Drug Enforcement Agency and the Davao City
Police Office marked 30 houses in three barangays along Quezon
Boulevard believed to be havens of drug suspects on Tuesday.

DCPO director Sr. Supt. Conrado Laza and PDEA regional director Supt.
Wilkins Villanueva, who spearheaded the house-to-house painting, said
that words were carefully chosen in order not to violate the High
Court's ruling.

Laza said the activity to mark the houses was done in line with the
campaign of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to strengthen the fight
against illegal drugs.

Villanueva, who also guested during yesterday's press conference, said
that their drive was welcomed by those whose houses were marked.

He said they told the residents of the house that it was for their own
good and that of the community.

Villanueva said that they would not use force in case some refuse to
have their houses marked.

He said they will be continuing their campaign especially in
identified drug lairs in the city.

The PDEA regional director said that there are more than 1,000 names
of suspected drug pushers who are in the their watchlist.

But Villanueva said only less than 500 are based in Davao City while
the rest were operating in other parts of Southern Mindanao.

He said only two men are considered to be drug lords but admitted that
they are still scotfree as the operation entails a 'financial
investigation' to arrest them.

Villanueva said they have to wait for the two personnel who sent
abroad to study financial investigation to do the in-depth probe.

Rehab centers needed As of yesterday noon, close to 200 drug suspects
have surrendered to different police stations and submitted themselves
to personal and psychiatric tests at the grandstand of the Camp
Domingo Leonor at the Davao City Police Office.

The surrenderees were evaluated if it was necessary for them to
undergo medication in rehabilitation centers or just go for voluntary
rehabilitation.

According to social workers of the City Social Services Development
Office, who conducted personel tests yesterday with the surrenderees,
majority needed to undergo rehabilitation in government-funded centers.

They said most of the surrenderees showed signs of heavy use of
methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu and marijuana.

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has promised to provide a P3 million allocation
from his peace and order fund for the rehabilitation of the
surrenderees.

He also said he will try to look for budget to give them an allowance
of P2,000 a month to support their families while they are undergoing
rehabilitation.