In Tanauan City, punishment for drug users comes with a creative twist.
On Mon, Aug 22, nine suspected drug users were forced to parade an empty coffin in this first class city in the province of Batangas, located south of Metro Manila.
It was the latest in a series of “walk of shame” campaigns organized by its mayor for suspected drug users. In previous months, he made them parade Santacruzan style, and then as bride and groom.
This time, they carried an empty black coffin and signages that said, “Ilibing ang multo ng droga sa Augusto.” (Bury the ghost of drugs in August.)
The suspects were nabbed by Tanauan City police and members of the Mayor’s Action Group. One of them was allegedly caught in the act of taking illegal drugs, according to GMA News.
Also arrested were a former police official and a barangay captain’s brother.
Tanauan mayor Antonio Halili has been criticized by the Commission on Human Rights for his unusual means of punishing drug suspects.
He said that he’s willing to risk his position and power to combat drugs in his territory: “Karapatan ng mga constituents ko na malaman kung sino ang dapat iwasan. Itutuloy ko ito.”
(It’s the right of my constituents to know who to avoid. I will keep doing this.“)
