The beauty queen and LGBTQ rights advocate questioned the treatment of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to the 11 gay men arrested during a sex and drug party in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig several days ago.
“Two of them were suspected of selling/distributing drugs. During the operation, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) found out that one of of them was HIV positive. PDEA and local news outlets decided to expose the identities of these men to the media. Their mugshots, names, and the HIV status of one of them were released. Was this really necessary?” Wurtzbach said in her post.
“I understand that what the men were supposedly doing was illegal and they should face legal consequences. But there was absolutely no need to expose and publicly shame them. It’s illegal to publicly announce one’s HIV status (RA8504).” she said.
Pia explained that the treatment made by PDEA to the drug suspects might traumatized them and it might also worsened the HIV situation in the Philippines.
“What has been done has not only traumatized the men that were involved; it has also worsened the HIV situation in the Philippines.” Pia said.
PIa who’s also a Goodwill Ambassador of the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) said that the recent actions of PDEA and the media might gave a bad impression and wrong public understanding on HIV/AIDS.
“We’re working so hard in educating the people properly on HIV/AIDS, on taking away the stigma. Because of what PDEA and the news outlet have done, some people are now associating drugs and immorality with being gay. It’s ridiculous. “ she said.
“The whole point of this drug raid was to arrest the men for their supposed crime, which was selling/distributing and using illegal narcotics. Being gay is not a crime! Living with HIV is not a punishment! Come on, Philippines. We are already taking small steps forward to improve acceptance, tolerance and understanding. We cannot take big steps back.” she added.
Wurtzbach urged the PDEA and the news outlet to fix the situation. She also explained to the netizens that being gay is not immoral and having an HIV is not a punishment.
“To PDEA and the news outlets, take steps to mend the situation. Sa aking mga kababayan, wag po tayo maging judgmental. Hindi immoral ang maging bakla, hindi dapat ituring na kaparusahan ang HIV. At lalong hindi ito biro na dapat pag-pyestahan at pagtawanan. To my beloved LGBT community, stay strong. We’ll win this.” she said.
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