PNP, PDEA probe death of 19-year-old girl in Cebu

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) are investigating the death of a 19-year-old girl, who may have ingested party drugs, during the celebration of the Sinulog festival in Cebu, according to a report on Saksi.

Carla (not her real name) was rushed to the hospital after fainting but she died the following day.

It is suspected that she may have died due to drug overdose.

PDEA Region VII Information Officer Leia Alcantara said there are speculations on the cause of death of Carla, including drug overdose, specifically ecstasy.

Alcantara said that such a conclusion cannot be made because the victim may have ingested other substances.

PDEA operatives who inspected the concert venue admitted that they cannot determine whether there were party drugs used.

The agency is hoping the family of the victim would allow that an autopsy be conducted.

The PNP is also conducting a separate investigation.

"We are trying to identify if kinsa 'toh ang supplier," said PNP Regional Director Chief Superintendent Debold Sinas.

He added that ecstasy is expensive and sales are usually personalized because the drug is passed on or sold only among friends or acquaintances. — BAP, GMA News