PDEA wants pro-weed rap song banned

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has taken exception to a rap song and has asked authorities to ban it from the airwaves. 

PDEA director general Aaron Aquino yesterday said that “Amatz” by young rapper Shanti Dope should be banned as it promotes the recreational use of illegal drugs.

Aquino has written to the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mangaawit and ABS-CBN Corp. to prevent the airing and promotion of the song. 

“We respect and appreciate our artists in the music industry, however, we strongly oppose the promotion of musical pieces or songs that encourage the recreational use of drugs like marijuana and shabu. It is contrary to our fight against illegal drugs,” Aquino said in a statement. 

The anti-drug official said that the song “runs contrary” to the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs as it may mislead the youth into thinking that it is OK to use illegal drugs. 

“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 added. 

He also said that PDEA will recommend the banning of songs that are similar in form that promote the use of illegal drugs.