Sagada and Marijuana, Again...
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
A reader that goes by the nick "kat-eng" (and it would be interesting to know why he/she chose such a name) left a comment on my Arroyo post about Sagada being in the news recently due to the well publicized "Alabang Boys" drug case. True enough, I searched for recent news and there were several articles in major newspapers about the case. The "Alabang Boys" - Richard Brodett, Jorge Jordana Joseph, and Joseph Tecson – all scions of wealthy families, were arrested last year and are currently under the custody of the anti-drug agency for drug-related cases. DOJ Secretary Raul Gonzalez has said that an internal investigation on an apparent bribery attempt is currently on-going after a draft order for the release of the three suspects were put on his table for signing from one of his undersecretaries.
Former pro basketballer star and once character actor Dave Brodett, came out with his son, Anthony, and testified against his arrested cousin, Richard Brodett. In an effort to clear the family name, Dave Brodett has publicly pleaded with his brother Butch and sis-in-law Myra, whom he knew were watching, to tell all about their son Richard. Where does Sagada come into play? It was apparently the source of marijuana for Richard Brodett. "Pinaakyat pa ng nanay niya iyan sa Sagada para kumuha ng marijuana.", his cousin Anthony said.
I can't remember if there is a more publicized case in recent history than brings into attention the drug problem in Sagada. I hope this attention will make the leaders of Sagada and Mountain Province really act on the problem. Sagada would be much better without drugs. Here's what a local tourist once posted on this blog: "I believe there's so much more going for Sagada than a marijuana-induced high." Very true. Most tourists would confess that a visit to Sagada is a high in itself. No need for hallucinogens to enjoy this place.
Related Stories on the Brodett's Case:
Dave Brodett: old school gentleman
Brodett kin squeal: Richard used, peddled drugs early on
DOJ to probe official in ‘Alabang Boys’ drug case
Related Posts on Sagada and Drugs on this blog:
Sagada and Drugs
Sagada and Drugs - An On-going Struggle
Posts
21 comments:
Hi again. Hmmm... which to comment on first. Okay, well according to Sagada officials there are no Marijuana plantations in the area (cliche), and that the "Alabang Boys" just blamed it on Sagada.
Although, of course, there are two sides to a coin. What is on the other side is not certain, but it is absolutely taboo in Sagada.
As for the name, it is my Igorot name (or so they tell me). Unlike you brother, i did not have the privilege to grow up in Sagada. I only spent summer vacations there.
I will gladly share you my life's story, but i feel it will be a long, interesting and it will definitely require a different blog post. Hahaha. Kidding ^_^
"What is on the other side is not certain, but it is absolutely taboo in Sagada." Kat-eng, this is loaded. Hala ka!
:-)
How about sharing your life story in a blog (unless you have one already). I'll definitely be a reader.
Going back to the topic, unless the problem on Sagada and drugs is acknowledged, there will never be a solution. I think Sagadans are good problem solvers. Drugs kill and hurt families. Its more taboo just to ignore this.
I am trying to get in touch with Leo Daoas or Dennis Piludin I just was in Sagada last December after almost 31 years away.
Leo and Dennis's gave me an email address that is not working.
If anyone has contact with them please let them know to contact me
Thank You
Mathew
Matthew, I'm afraid I wont be much help. I don't know their email addresses as well. Hopefully, a visitor in this blog can post it for ya.
it really pains me to hear sagada in the news again sa brodetts' testimony. not after it being featured sa natgeo. parang panay negative publicity tuloy. i hope the local realize this will hurt the place in the long run, longer than the financial gains to be had for this drug trade
hallowas,well,I'm a sagadian guide and feels happy to have some time to comment about this issue,,it really hurts me reading/hearing such issues like this about my home town but what can i do?if only we could help each other then this can be solved,,i think we are all with this locals or tourists,lets stop buying this stuff and help us solve this,lets think about our families,not only ourselves,
You know me, I'm probably one of the most liberal peeps you've ever met, but I stop at this marijuana legalization thing. I notice the increased pressure on Obama to legalize it there in the US. If I could, I'd exterminate every single plant there is here in Pinas. Marijuana is not safe. It's a gateway drug. It ruins lives, not just the users', but also their families'. Someday, I'll tell you my story, my cautionary tale, in person.
hello mathew,
who the hell are you? someone might have used my name..... send me your email so that i can contact you..
Mexico legalize small amounts of drugs. Argentina, Czech Republic and Spain legalized marijuana for personal use. to stop the corruption & violence on drugs. United States even got a compassion centers for medicinal marijuana use(Google "Rick Simpson"). Canadians talking on legalizing it to end the drug war. oh yes Amsterdam The Netherlands.
Many countries are using it for industrial use and it is a good example of a sustainable clean energy.
What do you think those countries are thinking?
Are they better than us?
The Federal System inflict a drug war hysteria to all people in the world in 1930's and very successful doing it by force and terror! sure because of corruption and power.
Do you think we need to humiliate and incarcerate non-violent drug offenders?
if there is a demand of the product, it is still be produced. you cant kill it... because its a weed. it will still grow.
the governments is just wasting time and money,the people's money.
be aware!
it is only now that i viewed this website and i'm glad we have a way to express what we think about Sagada and marijuana...just recently, we audited a branch of the bank i'm working for. as soon as one of the staff members learned that i was from sagada, she blurted out, "ay,mam, legal ang jutes dun, di ba?" i was stunned! she went on to say that after eating in one of the known restaurants in Sagada, they smelled marijuana smoke and were surprised to see that there were three locals and one foreigner comfortably smoking MJ just outside the resto...i was too stunned to speak especially so that all members of my team were listening...i just said it was not legal but yes, some people do smoke MJ in the open...what else should one say??e, totoo naman kasi. i mean, we can't deny that fact-that even the youth are sometimes hooked to smoking MJ in the place...can't anyone do something about this?
Only saw this now.
Honestly, I'm pro-marijuana because if things like alcohol and cigarettes are legal, why not marijuana? MJ is more fatal to our health compared to alcohol, but you have tons of people getting drunk and violent because of its legalization. On the other hand, weed doesn't give you the whole aggressive attitude once taken. It actually relaxes you and has actual medical benefits. Did you know Marijuana eliminates or lessens night terrors? Marijuana is beneficial to your eyesight? Marijuana helps people calm down (actual treatment for angry patients)? Marijuana is used for recovering anorexics or bulimics to regain their appetite? Marijuana has its benefits and it's a lot less dangerous than alcohol. Also, the legalization of something a lot of people just want legalized will lessen our number of crimes!
And look at that! Beer is legal!
oh, my mistake:
MJ is more fatal --> MJ is less fatal.
Also, I must add that people like doing things their not supposed to be doing. It's like how people always end up stepping on the grass when it clearly says to stay off it.
Gabby - appreciate your comments. Your point is taken. Actually, there is recent news that one of the Facebook founders gave huge amount like $100K+ to support the legalization of pot. That's here in the US where all drugs are strongly monitored and controlled. Either way - I'm still not bending on my opinion. MJ is a hallucinogen and the dangers outweigh any perceived benefits. Even alcohol is legal - but hey, it's been abused and there's plenty of negative impact on families and life in general.
I cant believe you people marijuana is a income source and a tourist attraction...
Plus there have been more studies saying marijuana isn't harmful to anyone. To you people who say "oh i was beaten because my dad dint get his fix of pot..") Well thats not pot he's smoking, I have never heard of a violent pot head. those creatures don't exist you know like... flying pigs...just doesn't exist.
I would like to leave you with a quote:
“Why is marijuana against the law? It grows naturally upon our planet. Doesn’t the idea of making nature against the law seem to you a bit . . . unnatural?” – Bill Hicks
I would have to agree with Gabby and Ratboy. I think marijuana should be legalized. This is surprising, even to myself, because I don't use drugs. Still, the point is, if alcohol (which makes people violent) and cigarettes (the long term use of which can make you a really good candidate for lung cancer) are legal, why isn't marijuana legal, when in fact, it's much less dangerous than alcohol and tobacco? And before you say that's not true, do some research first. I have. Marijuana is only a mild hallucinogen. I tried it only a couple of times, and it definitely didn't have the same effect on me that alcohol does. 2 bottles of alcohol can make my world spin. What happened when I smoked marijuana? I just ate and slept, that was about it!
FYI, Melissa Etheridge, the singer, was prescribed marijuana after her chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. Other prescription drugs had side effects on her. Marijuana took away her nausea and pain, and calmed her down. Google marijuana and its benefits if you don't believe me.
I'm glad I'm migrating to California! :) Prop 19 wasn't passed, but marijuana use is tolerated there. You can smoke on Hippie Hill, and even though there are cops around, they won't bother you. Also, Schwarzenneger decriminalized marijuana use/possession before his term ended, which means that even though marijuana is still an illegal substance in California, it will only be considered a misdemeanor if you're caught using it, not a crime. Hooray for progress and evolution!
Don't hold your breath waiting for the Philippines to legalize marijuana. Not with its holier-than-thou Catholic priests! Divorce can't even be legalized here, for Pete's sake! I mean, what the F, right?! You can say a country is really backwards when it won't even legalize the dissolution of a marriage, even though the government is aware that a lot of Filipino couples' marriages aren't working anymore!
Did I say how glad I am that I'm migrating? I'm not a Filipino (actually, Filipina) who doesn't love her country. On the contrary, I do have Pinoy pride. But you can't fault me for wanting to move somewhere else, somewhere there's actually freedom of choice!
TRYC and Ratboy - to each his own. We can agree to disagree on this one, but I'd like to thank you for writing down your comments. I have my opinions based on personal experience. Legalizing the use of marijuana is not the solution. Banning it is still the lesser of 2 evils.
hey!!Hey!!! Everyone who despises the plant is a loser why don't u try it?/
I recommend it to those who suffer arthritis..especially those who makes the laws of all lANDS IN THIS WORLD..
GO ON TRY IT!!! DON'T BE PRETENTIOUS...
God created Marijuana man created booze. You people really like spitting in god face
Rather stunning level of ignorance and paranoia by some here.
I was thinking of visiting Sagada primarily to enjoy the view and the people and probably smoke one too!
A harmless herb put here by God for us to enjoy demonised by the controllers lest we find mental and spiritutual liberty and discard them and their absurd fascist laws.
Mark these ignorant folk and how they ruin the little pleasures of life and seek to control every aspect of our behaviour.
They think we are their property.
Liberty is on the move in these times and the small minded will be left in the dust!
the reason why its illegal , i think, because it might kill the tobacco industry....
If the people in charge and the people who oppose marijuana usage were to smoke weed at least once, it is then that they would realize the true intentions of this plant. I mean..how harmful can something that is grown from the Earth be?
The main concern for politicians and law-makers is profit, as always. Monetary values would decrease astronomically if marijuana were to be legal.
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