Women warned on spiked drinks at Yuletide parties

By: Julliane Love De Jesus - 10 years ago

MANILA, Philippines—The anti-illegal drugs unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP) advised women not to get so friendly with strangers they meet at parties this coming holiday season.

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With drink spiking prevalent at parties during the holidays, the PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AIDSOTF) urged women to avoid male strangers who offer them drinks or a ride home.

Chief Inspector Roque Merdegia Jr, PNP AIDSOTF legal division chief and spokesperson, said in an interview that the demand and supply for date-rape drugs or gamma hydroxybutyrate and ecstasy usually go up at the start of Yuletide season.

Drinks and pastries are usually laced with these drugs by unscrupulous men plotting a rape, Merdegia said.

‎”I’ve been telling women to avoid strangers randomly offering them drinks. As much as possible, don’t accept unsealed drinks or cocktails in glasses,” he said.

“If you’re going to the restroom, bring your drink with you. ‎Don’t leave it with strangers you just met.”

If women would suddenly feel drowsy and dizzy moments after downing the drinks given by strangers, Merdegia said they ‎should seek help from people they know well.

“If this happens, do not accept offers from strangers to take you home,” he added.

Merdegia recalled a case in Makati City when a woman was abducted after she was drugged by several men allegedly with rohypnol, a strong tranquilizer used to incapacitate a person.