In the Philippines, a celebration called Flores de Mayo is held every May. Mayor Antonio Halili came up with his own version called “Flores de Pusher,” a walk of shame for drug suspects in Tanauan City, Batangas.
In spite of protests from the Commission of Human Rights, 11 suspected drug pushers were paraded in town while wearing signs that read: “Ako’y Pusher, Wag Tularan (I am a pusher. do not imitate me.)” Three of the suspects were minors.
They marched in line and even had makeshift archs with streamers to mimic a legit Flores de Mayo parade.
The suspects were arrested during a drug buy-bust operation, ABS-CBN News reports.
According to the police, the mayor had urged the suspects to stop their illegal activities, but to no avail. Photos of the mayor giving a stern warning to suspected drug pushers and users were shared on Tanauan City’s Hope Facebook page.
Earlier this week, the mayor used the same strategy to punish seven other alleged drug pushers.
CHR aid that this kind of punishment is a form of mental torture.
