PDEA concerned over arrest of rappers involved in drugs

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is concerned over the recent arrests of rappers allegedly involved in drugs.

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino aired the concern in a statement on Thursday following the arrest of Arlny Dimabuyu or

Rapper Arnly Dimabuyu, also known as Xander Bay, 21, was arrested in front of a bar in Angeles City for allegedly selling party drugs. (Photo from Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency- Region 3)

, a 21-year-old rap artist and vlogger.

Dimabuyu was arrested by joint elements of the PDEA Regional Office 3 (Central Luzon) and the local police in a buy-bust operation in front of a grill bar in Angeles City, Pampanga on August 18.

Confiscated from him during the operation were nine ecstasy tablets worth around P15,900, and a sachet of five grams of dried marijuana leaves worth P500.

Aside from Dimabuyu, two other rappers identified as 27-year-old John Kenneth Satahirapan and 30-year-old Alexis Baniqued and their cohorts were also arrested in an entrapment operation inside a residence in Barangay San Martin De Porres, Cubao, Quezon City on July 30.

Confiscated from the group were sachets of “shabu,” dried marijuana leaves, and assorted drug paraphernalia.

Aquino said “the arrested artists promote their music through video-sharing websites, when in reality, they have this hidden agenda of boosting their connections to ply their trade.”

“Rap is fast becoming the most popular music genre among the youth. Rappers Dimabuyu, Satahirapan and Baniqued enjoy quite a following online, but are hooked or involved in the illegal drug trade. This poses danger to the younger generation whose vulnerable minds may be misled that recreational use of illegal drugs is cool and harmless,” the PDEA chief added.

Earlier, the PDEA assisted by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), Kapisanan Ng Mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) and National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), led the move on censorship of songs with lyrics advocating drug use, including Shanti Dope’s rap song “Amatz.”