NBI: 1 of 5 concert casualties tested positive for 2 drugs

One of the five people who died at a concert in Pasay City two weeks ago had tested positive for two synthetic drugs, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said on Thursday.

Dr. Rommel Papa, chief of staff of the NBI’s forensic division, said they found traces of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) methylene homolog and methylenedioxy cathinone commonly known as “bath salts.”

“Based on the autopsy report, several specimens were taken—blood, liver, brain, kidney, stomach contents—and found in the deceased body (was) the presence of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) methylene homolog and methylenedioxy cathinone,” Papa said, describing the two as “illicit substances.”

“It was tested and confirmed by our forensic chemistry division,” he said. “The specimens were taken by our medico legal doctor.”

Papa refused to divulge who among the fatalities tested positive for the two illicit substances. He said the family requested the NBI not to identify the person.

MDMA methylene homolog and methylenedioxy cathinone are a new breed of drugs that the NBI’s anti-illegal drugs division has said are dangerous but not illegal. Both are not included on the list of prohibited drugs under the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

MDMA methylene homolog is used for forensic tests and is not fit for human consumption.

According to Papa, the substances are classified as “psychoactive,” “mind-altering” and “hallucinogenic” drugs.

“Those who take these drugs could not sleep, (could) hear voices and become paranoid. They can suffer rapid heart beat, increased blood pressure and muscle spasms,” Papa said.

“Maybe they do not know what they took. Let us not judge them. Let us not label them. How that drug got into their system is another question,” he added.

The NBI conducted the autopsy on two of the five victims. The two, according to the NBI, died of heart attacks with pulmonary edema.

Papa said the same person that tested positive for the two synthetic substances tested negative for alcohol.

The NBI said they would coordinate with the Philippine National Police to compare the results of the tests on the victims./rga