Duterte calls suspension of police in Davao an “abuse of power”

Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte criticized the suspension of Davao City Police Office (DCPO) personnel, including city director Colonel Richard Bad-Ang, calling it “an abuse of power by higher authorities.”

In a statement on Saturday, May 25, Duterte condemned the Philippine National Police (PNP) decision to suspend the officers involved, citing a raid in March this year that was part of his declared “war on drugs” in response to rampant drug use and trafficking in some parts of the city.

“It is disheartening to witness such disruptive actions within our law enforcement agencies,” said the younger son of former mayor and former President Rodrigo Duterte.

He assured that the officials had steadfastly discharged their responsibilities. “There is substantial evidence that the buy-bust operations were carried out within the law,” he said, adding that any allegations of wrongdoing were baseless and unfair.

Duterte stressed that the DCPO has “continued to demonstrate remarkable effectiveness” in maintaining peace and order in the city.

Records show a significant 69 percent decline in key crime from May 2023 to May 2024, reflecting the commitment and competence of the police working with his government.

A total of 35 police officers from Davao received immediate administrative assistance upon the recommendation of the Police Regional Office-Regional Internal Affairs Service (PRO-RIAS-Davao) following the completion of the investigation into the deaths of seven persons during anti-illegal drug operations from March 23 to 26.

The list includes six station chiefs, five deputy chiefs, 23 police non-commissioned officers (PNCOs) and former city director Colonel Richard Bad-ang, who served as DCPO for only two months.

These officers are now assigned to the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Section (RPHAS) headquarters.

Duterte cited Republic Law No. 6975, which provides that city and municipal mayors should exercise operational supervision and control over PNP units within their jurisdiction.

“My active involvement underscores my commitment to working with law enforcement agencies to maintain peace and order in Davao City,” he said.

He argued that the decision to remove the personnel runs counter to the spirit of cooperation and mutual trust essential to effective governance and law enforcement. “I reject all efforts to undermine the hard-earned trust between our community and law enforcement agencies,” Duterte added.

He stressed that these developments highlight the dangers of unchecked authority and called for transparency and accountability. He also called for the immediate reinstatement of the wrongfully dismissed officials. RGL