A bill filed in the House of Representatives seeks to provide humane solutions to the country’s drug problem while also giving robust protections for individuals’ rights.
Rep. Perci Cendaña of Akbayan party list filed the proposed Public Health Approach to Drug Use Act, which provides a community-based health approach and social support interventions.
The lawmaker said the measure is a 180-degree turn from the Duterte administration’s bloody war on drugs which killed more than 30,000 people.
“The bill prevents the killing of more innocent (victims of extrajudicial killings). Instead of violence and bullets, the solution must be to provide competent treatment and direct care to drug users),” Cendaña said in a mix of English and Filipino.
“The proposed law bans the use of Tokhang or drug lists, torture, unlawful police interference, and other cruel methods used in the drug war,” he added.
The bill also has a counterpart measure filed by Sen. Risa Hontiveros in the Upper House.
