ACHARON FROWNS ON SPRAY-PAINTING

SAYING there is no substitute to excellent police work, Mayor Pedro Acharon
Jr. said Wednesday that he isn't amenable to the idea of spray-painting the
houses of suspected drug pushers and users.

Speaking before reporters during a luncheon meeting, Acharon said the
police should instead focus on catching members of drug syndicates and
eliminating the illegal drug network in the city.

A human rights lawyer earlier threatened to file cases against local
officials and policemen who would paint the houses of suspected drug
pushers in the city.

Lawyer Dominador Lagare, a former city councilor, said the move would
violate the constitutional rights of suspected drug pushers.

While he said spray-painting would minimize the proliferation of illegal
drugs in the city, it should not be at the expense of the rights of the
suspect.

Lagare said any suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

Acharon on the other hand believes the anti-illegal drug campaign of the
police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in the region is
doing well and there is no need to shame suspected drug pushers and users.

But he also warned drug syndicates that they are not welcome in the city.

"Abi nila og sa Davao lang gina-ihaw ang mga tulak (Maybe they think
summary killings only happen in Davao)," Acharon said referring to the rash
of vigilante killings of drug pushers in Davao City.

While Acharon did not refer to the spate of killings involving suspected
drug pushers in General Santos some months back, he theorized that there
are some concerned citizens who have taken the law into their hands.

"I do not condone these summary killings but drug pushers should take
notice of them. They are not welcome in the city," the city mayor warned.

Intelligence reports reaching Acharon said drug syndicates from Davao City
have moved to General Santos because of the intensified drive of Mayor
Rodrigo Duterte.

Acharon said he is in constant communication with Duterte who has been
giving him advice on the anti-illegal drug campaign.

Lone opposition Councilor Franklin "Jeng" Gacal Jr. also asked Barangay
Fatima officials to reconsider their plans to spray paint the houses of
suspected drug pushers in the area.

Gacal said the spray-painting campaign is illegal and any local authorities
that initiate the said activity could face criminal charges in court.

Gacal however clarified his warning does not mean he is protecting
suspected drug pushers and addicts.

"I am against illegal drugs, but I believe there is a violation of human
rights there. I hope the Barangay Council will re-study their actions,"
Gacal said.

In a related development, Acharon said there is no need to expand the
detention cell of PDEA at Camp Fermin Lira.

"All we have to do is expedite the filing of cases so that these suspected
drug pushers will be committed to the city jail," Acharon explained.

PDEA sources said they have been making an average of 50 arrests a month as
the drive against illegal drug activities throughout the country is being
intensified.