MANILA, Philippines — The label of rapper Gabriel Abilla, better known as Hev Abi, is backing the artist following his arrest earlier this week.
A police report yesterday, April 16, said that Hev Abi was among seven individuals arrested by authorities in Quezon City who were acting on a search warrant for firearms.
Seized during the arrest were a loose firearm, a magazine, and live ammunition, as well as 11 cartridges containing suspected liquid marijuana, four sealed transparent plastic containers containing powder suspected to be "cocaine," and paraphernalia containing suspected marijuana.
As a result of the arrest, Hev Abi was unable to appear for his April 15 set at the UP Fair's "Kalye Tunes" event.
Hev Abi's label Urban Department issued a brief statement on social media "categorically denying any and all allegations pertaining to the misunderstanding that led to the April 14 incident."
"Our legal counsel is working with the designated authorities in finding a solution," the label also said. "From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who continues to show their support."
The rapper is best known for his songs "Alam Mo Ba Girl," "Para Sa Streets," "WELCOME2DTQ," "QC Girl," "Babaero," "Walang Alam," and "Lil Kasalanan Shortie," and just released his fourth album "Maduming Timog" last February.
Hev Abi has over five million monthly listeners on the audio streaming platform Spotify, which named him the Top Local Artist in 2024. — with reports from Ian Laqui