THE MORE PARTY, THE MORE ECSTASY

By Tonton Alcos Antogop

Where there is a party in Cebu almost always there are party goers who are using ecstasy.

“Ang party drugs po eh ano po talaga yan coupled with party place yung mga bars ganyan and other events  na nagka conduct ng mga parties,”  Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-7) Regional Director Wardley Getalla bared during yesterday’s AGIO-PIA forum in the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) regional office.

Getalla added that the more parties, the more users of ecstasy too, citing information which they obtained from personalities whom they have earlier arrested for ecstasy possession.

The demand would be higher in months where parties are held, during the off-season, it will also slowdown.

“So depende po yan pag mas madaming party na dadating may mga festival mas marami po at kapag naman po sa months na medyo wala masyadong party or vacation medyo mababa po so nag ba-vary po yan depende sa demand, sa buwan o sa season,”.

Getalla went on to enjoin bar operators especially in the known spots in Cebu City, Mandaue and Lapu-lapu Cities to be on the look-out always on ecstasy user patrons.

He also enjoined parents of the so-called “party goers” to be mindul of their children.

“Talagang nakikita natin na may presence ng party drugs sa Cebu may presence ng mga bars kung saan pi-pwedeng pumunta itong mga sinasabi nating partygoers so sa pagkakataong ito hinihikayat din namin di lang yung mga bar owners once again pati yung mga parents ng mga posibleng mahilig sa party na i-educate ang kanilang mga anak sa ill-effects nito  so magsimula sana ang anti-drugs campaign natin sa tahanan,” Getalla appealed.

Anti-narcotics operatives warned that ecstasy is addictive and is harmful to one’s health and could even led to death especially when mixed with alcohol drinks.

Known as a party drug, it is scientifically called Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) where it has hallucinogen effects to its users.

It is reportedly an energy booster where one would experienced perceptional changes in visual and auditory senses including even heightened sense to touch.

According to Getalla, the recent neutralization of Ken Kenneth Rosales and two of his alleged cohorts will greatly affect the sell of ecstasy in Metro Cebu area but they also on the lookout of other groups.

The Regional Intelligence Division (RID)  and the Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG) killed Rosales in what was described as a shootout last Feb. 22 in Sepulveda St. Barangay Zapatera, Cebu City.

Before the shoot-out with Rosales, his two other cohorts were arrested, Justin Anton Jimenez, 21, a resident of Gil Tudtud St. Mabolo and Lorenz Jasper Yap, 22 of  Bayabas Street, Ext., Punta Princesa.

The two pointed to Rosales as their alleged source of ecstasy. The two men were students of a local university.

Rosales who allegedly led the KKR Group was on board a black Volvo when the police engaged him in a shootout.

Recovered inside the posh car aside from the firearm of Rosales were several ecstasy and packs of suspected cocaine.

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