MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) this Monday welcomed a lawmaker’s call for mandatory drug tests on celebrities and other talents before appearing in entertainment projects.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City, PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. major television networks and entertainment industry groups to implement the proposal, noting that celebrities should serve as role models for young people.
“We encourage the giant networks, even the actors’ guild. If they take the initiative, then they can show that they are helping our campaign against illegal drugs,” said Azurin in a statement to reporters.
This is after actor Dominic Roco and several others were arrested in an anti-drug operation in Quezon City last weekend.
Dominic, 33, son of veteran actor Bembol Roco, and his companions got PHP112,000 worth of shabu and PHP14,000 worth of marijuana leaves.
“If you are a role model, your character must be impeccable. That means you are clean. So I welcome that all of our actors and actresses would volunteer to be tested to prove that many or all of them are good role models,” said Azurin.
Previously proposed by Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers the mandatory drug test on actors and other celebrities who are idolized by the public, especially the youth, before they are assigned to do movies and other related work.
Barbers said that since 2016, at least eight celebrities have been arrested for alleged involvement in illegal drugs — actors Mark Anthony Fernandez and Julio Diaz, actresses Krista Miller and Sabrina M, disk jockey namely Karen Bordador and her boyfriend Emilio Lim, former child star CJ Ramos, and rapper Zaito. RNA
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