The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Monday has raised alarm over the sneaking of illegal drugs into music festivals, concerts and other similar events.
PDEA Director General Aaron N. Aquino sounded the alarm following the case of a teenage girl who was stopped after passing through the PDEA narcotics detection dog (K9) that reacted when it detected the presence of illegal drugs.
The minor, who is a senior high school student, was later found in possession of more or less five grams of 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 Globe Circuit Events Grounds, Makati City, on October 26, 2019.
Following the incident, Aquino pleaded to all parents to open the communication lines with their children to prevent them from getting engaged in any illicit activities like illegal drug use.
“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. (Chito A. Chavez)
