Teen’s body checked for traces of drugs

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Police Office is now investigating the death of a 19-year-old teen attending a concert at the Cebu Business Park on Sinulog eve, following reports she may have ingested drugs.

CCPO director, Senior Supt. Royina Garma, said they will validate reports that the doctor discovered a substance in her body that may have caused her demise.

“But we have yet to confirm it and to check what type of substance it was, if it ever was a component of party drugs,” she told reporters yesterday.

Reports had it that the victim collapsed after allegedly taking a party drug.

Garma said they are asking the full cooperation of the victim’s family to help them in gathering important information. She said police need to get all the angles of the incident to identify whether or not there was really a crime committed.

“So for now, we are already conducted an investigation but we need the full cooperation of the family because we have to establish the background of the victim. Did she use drugs previously or not? Who were her associates? Who was she with during the party and was she forced to take the pill or she did it voluntarily?” said Garma.

The girl was brought to Perpetual Succor Hospital on Saturday night, minutes after she collapsed in the party, but was declared dead around 3 p.m. Sunday.

Garma said they did not receive reports that party drugs were rampant in the city last Sinulog. But she said it may be used by some, especially by well-off individuals.

If indeed true, Garma said, the recent incident serves as lesson to everyone, especially to young individuals, not to take prohibited drugs while partying.

“I think that’s a lesson for those who use it. Why would you use drugs to attend a party? That’s why it’s a party because you’re supposed to enjoy it. How can you enjoy it when you’re high?” the CCPO chief said.

Police Regional Office-7 director, Chief Supt. Debold Sinas, said in a separate interview that they are waiting for the family to lodge a formal complaint so police can call the attention of the concert organizers.

Without such complaint, he added, police cannot get other important details, specifically on the circumstances of the victim’s death.

“We are waiting for any complaint so we can summon the organizers. If there is no complaint, what’s our basis to call them? We were also informed by the city council to give them a report about it, but without a complaint, we could not give them anything,” Sinas said.

Councilor David Tumulak, chairman on council committee on public order and safety, said they are waiting for the medical findings of the doctor before making any actions.

He said the city government, as well as the police, is willing to help the family of the victims in the investigation.

“No (banning parties beyond 300-meter radius) kay wala man ta kahibaw asa to siya specifically gikan. Naghuwat ta unsa'y statement gikan sa doctor or medical findings gikan sa doctor,” Tumulak said.

Tumulak said some of the relatives of the victims started communicating him to asking for help. But he advised them to wait for the findings of the doctors so that they will be guided on what to do after.

“We should also respect the parents. We have to avoid accusing the family or the victim because she can also be considered a victim,” he said. — JMD (FREEMAN)