Viral: Ilocos Sur Gov. Chavit Singson leads burning of marijuana plants


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As it’s tourism slogan says, it really is more fun in the Philippines.

One of the many must-see activities you should check out while you’re in the country? A marijuana-burning ceremony. Yup, you read that right.

The picture of a marijuana burning ceremony, set in the Ilocos Sur province, has been going viral since it was posted on the Definitely Filipino Facebook page. As of 2pm on June 23, it’s been shared over 16,500 times.

The photo — with Dante Tacata credited as photographer — shows Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson and his vice governor with flaming torches near a pile of marijuana plants and seedlings. Also in the photo are a police superintendent and members of the press.
 
The marijuana-burning ceremony may have likely happened in 2010 and was merely ceremonial, as it appeared in Around Ilocandia Channel’s blog that year.

Singson, who is facing anti-graft and corruption charges, is also know as an avid Manny Pacquiao supporter, always appearing in the boxer’s photo-ops.

The marijuana pile was worth PHP106 million and had been seized in an operation in Sugpon, Ilocos Sur.

Many of the commenters on the photo were rather amused and disturbed that the people in the photo were not wearing gas masks. The commenters pointed out that everyone attending the ceremonial marijuana burning would get high.

 
But we have a question: That this photo has gone viral…does that mean the PH is already ready for medical marijuana bill?

Photo: Dante Tacata (as posted on the Definitely Filipino Facebook page)

 

 

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