By Chito Chavez
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Monday has raised extreme alarm over incidents where party-goers sneak in illegal drugs during music festivals, concerts and other similar events.
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Aaron N. Aquino (KEVIN TRISTAN ESPIRITU / MANILA BULLETIN)
PDEA Director General Aaron N. Aquino pointed to a recent incident when a female minor was temporarily stopped after passing through the PDEA Narcotics Detection dog (K9) that reacted to her presence in a strong indication that she was carrying illegal drugs.
The minor, who is a senior high school student, was later found positive for possession of more or less five grams marijuana and two glass tubes during the Jack TV’s MADFest 2019, an annual event where music, arts, and dance festival is showcased, held at the Globe Circuit Events Ground in Makati City on October 26.
With this incident, Aquino pleaded to all parents to open the communication lines with their children to spare them from getting entangled with any illicit activities like illegal drugs.
“I call for parents to check on their children in going to parties to avoid the same incident or worst just like the incidents on May 22, 2016, the Close-Up summer concert event where five died and linked to use of party drugs; and the 19-year-old woman who died due to an alleged drug overdose during Sinulog party in Cebu City on January 19, 2019”, Aquino said.
The minor was turned-over to Makati City Social Welfare and Development Office after the incident.