President Rodrigo Duterte’s all-out war on illegal drugs takes no exception. Over the past months, Duterte publicly named and shamed government officials, members of the judiciary and high-ranking policies allegedly involved in drugs. In fact, it was revealed that the President also has a list of at least 50 celebrities suspected of being involved in drugs.
Here are some popular Pinoy celebrities allegedly linked to illegal drugs.
1. Mark Anthony Fernandez
Former matinee idol Mark Anthony Fernandez, who voluntarily entered the Bicutan Rehabilitation Center in 2004, was arrested on October 3, 2016 for possession of 1 kilo marijuana, with an estimated street value of P15,000 in Pampanga province. The actor denied owning the 1kg of illegal drugs but admitted owning a small amount of marijuana in his car.
2. Krista Miller
Sexy starlet Krista Miller, who was initially linked to illegal drugs after visiting convicted drug lord Ricardo “Chacha” Camata at a hospital in 2014, was captured on October 3 in an anti-illegal drug operation carried out by the Quezon City Police District. Miller was arrested for allegedly selling P3,000 worth of shabu to a a police-poseur buyer. She was tagged as the cause of the controversial break-up of Cesar Montano and Sunshine Cruz.
3. Sabrina M.
Former sexy starlet Sabrina M. was the first celebrity arrested in the Duterte government’s drug buy-bust operation on September 25 in Quezon City. Three plastic sachets of shabu, disposable lighters and other drug paraphernalia were recovered from the scene of the anti-illegal drugs operation. The former adult film star is set to identify her celebrity clients.
4. Manny Pacquiao
Senator Manny Pacquiao, who admitted taking “all kinds of drugs” before becoming a champion boxer, said he supports President Rodrigo Duterte’s crackdown on so-called drug pushers. The country’s Pambansang Kamao stressed that there’s no need for him to apologize for his past drug use since he didn’t become a drug dependent.
5. JM De Guzman
In 2014, former Kapamilya actor Jm De Guzman admitted taking drugs and seeking treatment in a rehab center. The star of “Angelito” also revealed that his drug use was one of the reasons why he and Jessy Mendiola broke up in 2013. Following De Guzman’s showbiz comeback, the couple got back together but broke up again in 2015. Shortly after their split, De Guzman posted a series of cryptic messages on Instagram saying "Are you going to send me to rehab again?”.
6. Jiro Manio
In June 2015, former child star Jiro Manio was found wandering at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminal 3 for three days. The award-winning actor, who was spotted dressed in dirty clothes, was acting strangely apparently because of the effect of withdrawal from maintenance medication, which was supposed to control the negative effects of his past drug usage. It could be recalled that Manio underwent rehab treatment in 2011. Aiai deals Alas, Manio’s onscreen mom in the “Tanging Ina” movie franchise, convinced him to undergo rehab treatment that same year. Although he was released from the rehab facility last January, Manio was brought back the next month, not because of drug usage, but because he was chronically ill.
7. Nora Aunor
Superstar Nora Aunor was arrested in Los Angeles International Airport after authorities allegedly found drugs and a glass pipe wrapped in a T-shirt in her bag in 2005. The iconic multi-awarded Filipina actress was later released after posting $10,000 bail. After adhering to a six-month rehabilitation program and testing negative for drugs in 2007, Aunor was cleared by a Los Angeles, California court of a drug possession case filed against her. However, her alleged use of illegal drugs had cost her a national artist recognition as former President Benigno Aquino III admitted that Aunor’s drug conviction in 2006 was the reason he excluded her from the latest batch of national artists in 2014.
8. Alma Concepcion
Binibining Pilipinas ’94 title-holder and former actress Alma Concepcion was arrested for possession and importation of shabu at the Agana international airport in Guam in 1998. She eventually pleaded guilty to carrying .08 grams of the illegal substance. Almost 20 years after the incident, Concepcion said her drug-using past should serve as a warning to Filipino youth, in light of the tragic Closeup Forever Summer incident last May.
9. Niño Muhlach
Former child wonder of Philippine cinema Niño Muhlach was arrested by antidrug police operatives for alleged possession of shabu inside a shopping mall in Libis, Quezon City in 2007. Muhlach was caught with a plastic sachet of white crystals in his hand during surveillance operations at the mall’s food court. In May 2007, Muhlach pleased not guilty on the illegal drug possession charges against him.
10. Francis Magalona
The late King of Philippine rap was arrested in 2001 for possession of marijuana leaves as well as shabu drug paraphernalia after figuring in a car accident in Quezon City. Magalona, who tested negative for both marijuana and shabu in a drug test following his arrest, was later acquitted by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.
--Mini, The Summit Express
Here are some popular Pinoy celebrities allegedly linked to illegal drugs.
1. Mark Anthony Fernandez
Former matinee idol Mark Anthony Fernandez, who voluntarily entered the Bicutan Rehabilitation Center in 2004, was arrested on October 3, 2016 for possession of 1 kilo marijuana, with an estimated street value of P15,000 in Pampanga province. The actor denied owning the 1kg of illegal drugs but admitted owning a small amount of marijuana in his car.
2. Krista Miller
Sexy starlet Krista Miller, who was initially linked to illegal drugs after visiting convicted drug lord Ricardo “Chacha” Camata at a hospital in 2014, was captured on October 3 in an anti-illegal drug operation carried out by the Quezon City Police District. Miller was arrested for allegedly selling P3,000 worth of shabu to a a police-poseur buyer. She was tagged as the cause of the controversial break-up of Cesar Montano and Sunshine Cruz.
3. Sabrina M.
Former sexy starlet Sabrina M. was the first celebrity arrested in the Duterte government’s drug buy-bust operation on September 25 in Quezon City. Three plastic sachets of shabu, disposable lighters and other drug paraphernalia were recovered from the scene of the anti-illegal drugs operation. The former adult film star is set to identify her celebrity clients.
4. Manny Pacquiao
Senator Manny Pacquiao, who admitted taking “all kinds of drugs” before becoming a champion boxer, said he supports President Rodrigo Duterte’s crackdown on so-called drug pushers. The country’s Pambansang Kamao stressed that there’s no need for him to apologize for his past drug use since he didn’t become a drug dependent.
5. JM De Guzman
In 2014, former Kapamilya actor Jm De Guzman admitted taking drugs and seeking treatment in a rehab center. The star of “Angelito” also revealed that his drug use was one of the reasons why he and Jessy Mendiola broke up in 2013. Following De Guzman’s showbiz comeback, the couple got back together but broke up again in 2015. Shortly after their split, De Guzman posted a series of cryptic messages on Instagram saying "Are you going to send me to rehab again?”.
6. Jiro Manio
In June 2015, former child star Jiro Manio was found wandering at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminal 3 for three days. The award-winning actor, who was spotted dressed in dirty clothes, was acting strangely apparently because of the effect of withdrawal from maintenance medication, which was supposed to control the negative effects of his past drug usage. It could be recalled that Manio underwent rehab treatment in 2011. Aiai deals Alas, Manio’s onscreen mom in the “Tanging Ina” movie franchise, convinced him to undergo rehab treatment that same year. Although he was released from the rehab facility last January, Manio was brought back the next month, not because of drug usage, but because he was chronically ill.
7. Nora Aunor
Superstar Nora Aunor was arrested in Los Angeles International Airport after authorities allegedly found drugs and a glass pipe wrapped in a T-shirt in her bag in 2005. The iconic multi-awarded Filipina actress was later released after posting $10,000 bail. After adhering to a six-month rehabilitation program and testing negative for drugs in 2007, Aunor was cleared by a Los Angeles, California court of a drug possession case filed against her. However, her alleged use of illegal drugs had cost her a national artist recognition as former President Benigno Aquino III admitted that Aunor’s drug conviction in 2006 was the reason he excluded her from the latest batch of national artists in 2014.
8. Alma Concepcion
Binibining Pilipinas ’94 title-holder and former actress Alma Concepcion was arrested for possession and importation of shabu at the Agana international airport in Guam in 1998. She eventually pleaded guilty to carrying .08 grams of the illegal substance. Almost 20 years after the incident, Concepcion said her drug-using past should serve as a warning to Filipino youth, in light of the tragic Closeup Forever Summer incident last May.
9. Niño Muhlach
Former child wonder of Philippine cinema Niño Muhlach was arrested by antidrug police operatives for alleged possession of shabu inside a shopping mall in Libis, Quezon City in 2007. Muhlach was caught with a plastic sachet of white crystals in his hand during surveillance operations at the mall’s food court. In May 2007, Muhlach pleased not guilty on the illegal drug possession charges against him.
10. Francis Magalona
The late King of Philippine rap was arrested in 2001 for possession of marijuana leaves as well as shabu drug paraphernalia after figuring in a car accident in Quezon City. Magalona, who tested negative for both marijuana and shabu in a drug test following his arrest, was later acquitted by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.
--Mini, The Summit Express
