PDEA scores as ‘Amatz’ banned from airwaves

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has won in its bid to have the rap song “Amatz” banned from the airwaves.

PDEA director general Aaron Aquino yesterday lauded the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) for issuing a directive to prohibit the song from TV and radio broadcasts nationwide.

The song drew the ire of the lead anti-narcotics agency for its supposed “double meaning” that tended to encourage the recreational use of marijuana. 

PDEA lobbied for the banning of the song, saying it is prohibited under Article 15 (Music), Section 4 of the Broadcast Code of the Philippines 2007 (as amended 2011), which provides that songs promoting substance abuse should not be played.

The NTC agreed with the PDEA, saying the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas should enforce compliance on the non-airing of that type of song, including Amatz. It added that the move is in line with their commitment to the administration’s crusade in fighting illegal drugs. 

PDEA has also written letters of complaint to the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM) and ABS-CBN to have the song banned. 

The MTRCB already held mandatory meetings regarding the complaint.