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Manila Bulletin devider devider PDEA seeks ban of Shanti Dope's song 'Amatz'

PDEA seeks ban of Shanti Dope's song 'Amatz'

Published May 23, 2019 09:51 pm
By Chito Chavez The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has strongly pushed for the banning the airing of the song of Shanti Dope entitled “Amatz’’ claiming it promotes the recreational use of illegal drugs. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Aaron N. Aquino (KEVIN TRISTAN ESPIRITU / MANILA BULLETIN) Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Aaron N. Aquino (KEVIN TRISTAN ESPIRITU / MANILA BULLETIN) In a letter dated May 20, 2019, PDEA Director General Aaron N. Aquino requested the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM), and the ABS-CBN Corporation to prevent the airing of ‘Amatz’ and its promotion in the different media stations throughout the country. Dismayed by the message of the song PDEA in a statement noted the chorus of the song is mostly about “Lakas ng amats ko, sobrang natural, walang halong kemikal (I am on a high, it is super natural no chemicals added)’’. Aquino noted the lyrics also mention, “Ito hinangad ko; lipadin ay mataas pa sa kayang ipadama sayo ng gramo, di bale ng musika ikamatay (This is what I want, to reach the greater high compared to of a gram (referring to shabu, cocaine or other similar drugs) Even if this music causes my demise),” Aquino said. He said the lyrics of the song is obviously promoting the use of marijuana. “It appears that the singer was referring to the high effect of marijuana, being in its natural/organic state and not altered by any chemical compound,” Aquino pointed out. According to utmost respect and appreciation for artists and geniuses in the music industry, Aquino, however, strongly rejected the promotion of “musical pieces or songs that encourage the recreational use of drugs like marijuana and shabu’’. He insisted that it runs “contrary to our fight against illegal drugs”. The PDEA chief asserted the airing of the song that features the use of illegal drugs as harmless may mislead the vulnerable youth in their perception that it is all right to use illegal drugs. “This runs contrary to Duterte’s administration crusade against illegal drugs,” Aquino said. PDEA also has recommended that songs of similar forms should be banned from being aired. Shanti Dope’s management posted their reaction to PDEA’s call on Facebook Thursday. In the statement, they claim that Shanti’s song “Amatz” is actually a stand against the use of narcotics. The Facebook post is available in: https://www.facebook.com/shantidope/posts/2052209481748558
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