MANILA, Philippines--Benzylpiperazine (BZP) may soon be added to the list of dangerous drugs after tests showed that its users were exposed to the same effects as banned substances like the designer drug Ecstasy.

Vicente ?Tito? Sotto III revealed that the DDB made the recommendation during a press conference Thursday, following the announcement that he resigned from his post as chair of the agency to run for senator in the 2010 national elections.

?I have recommended the inclusion of BZP as prohibited drugs to the DDB after evidence showed that its effects (on users) were comparable to Ecstasy,? he said.

Sotto also disclosed that a BZP shipment was seized recently by the Philippine National Police Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF) at a warehouse in Quezon City.

Senior Supt. Francisco Uyami, AIDSOTF chief, said the seized BZP tablets were imported from the United States.

Uyami explained that BZP was sold as a ?stimulant? in bars and entertainment establishments as an alternative to Ecstasy because it was cheaper but still contained the same elements of the other drugs.

The new stimulant, Uyami said, is popularly known in the market as ?A2, Benny Bear, Benny Frenzy and Nemesis.?