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[av_heading heading=’PDEA slammed for HIV status disclosure ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY PRINCE GOLEZ
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Thursday, November 30, 2017
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MANILA – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) earned the ire of advocates for disclosing that one of those caught in an antidrug operation in Taguig City tested positive for HIV.
PDEA operatives arrested 11 men during the Sunday raid in a Seda Hotel room in Bonifacio Global City and recovered various kinds of prohibited drugs, including liquid and tablet ecstasy.
The men, who included models, a doctor and an engineer, were suspected of engaging in a drugged sex party.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros called on the state antidrug agents to properly handle cases of crime suspects who would test positive for HIV.
Disclosing someone’s HIV status without prior consent is a violation of Republic Act 8504, or the Philippine AIDS and Prevention Control Act of 1998, said Hontiveros.
Derrick Arnold Carreon, director of the PDEA’s Preventive Education and Community Involvement Service, has apologized for the blunder.
“There was no intention to shame, much less single out, one person,” said Carreon.
Hontiveros stressed that having HIV is not a crime.
“Whatever legal and criminal charges he is facing, testing positive for HIV has nothing to do with them,” she said.
“I call on our authorities to apprise themselves of all the current laws, protocols and systems of dealing with people living with HIV,” said Hontiveros.
“Our law enforcers can’t afford to be ignorant of these things. Lack of understanding promotes stigma and biases,” she added.
Hontiveros has authored Senate Bill No. 376, or the Philippine HIV-AIDS Policy Bill, which tackles government action against HIV and AIDS./PN
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