CHR tells gov’t to ensure children’s right in proposed drug test

FILE: Grade school pupils. (Photo: DepEd Philippines/Facebook)

The government must ensure the right of the children if it will push through with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s (PDEA’s) proposed mandatory drug testing for Grade 4 students and up, according to Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Saturday, November 10.

“The Commission on Human Rights reminds the government of its obligation to always put premium on the welfare and rights of the children, in line with the spirit of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which the Philippines ratified, and other domestic laws passed to this effect,” lawyer Jacqueline de Guia, CHR spokesperson, said.

Apart from the protection of the student’s rights, de Guia also stressed that the government must have clear instructions if the drug tests will be implemented.

“There should be sufficient guidelines should this initiative push through, which prohibits the school or agencies from imposing sanctions—administrative or criminal—to those found to be a user or dependent, and will not, in any way, affect the children’s access to their right to education,” she said.

This statement came after the Social Weather Stations (SWS) released its Third Quarter 2018 Social Weather Survey where it showed that 51 percent of Filipinos agreed to the mandatory drug tests on grade schoolers.

However, 36 percent of survey respondents disapproved of PDEA’s proposal, while 13 percent were undecided regarding the matter.

Malacañang earlier expressed support for the drug enforcement agency’s plan, saying that several parents will also agree with the idea.

“At least the parents would know whether or not their children are addicted or being used in the drug industry,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo had said.

PDEA chief Director General Aaron Aquino, for his part, welcomed the support of the Office of the President on their proposal, adding that Panelo’s statement is a “step forward” in the government’s anti-illegal drug campaign.

Aquino also welcomed the SWS’ latest survey.

“We are also thankful that based on SWS survey majority of the Filipinos are agreeing with us in pushing for this program. This is definitely another step in realizing our goal for a drug-cleared country,” he said.