35 Davao City cops relieved from posts over death of 7 drug suspects

Thirty five police officers of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) have been relieved from their posts, including former DCPO chief Police Colonel Richard Bad-ang, who was placed under administrative relief.

According to reports, aside from Bad-ang, 11 station commanders of the DCPO as well as other 23 police officers, were also sacked

The action by the Police Regional Office XI came amid an investigation into the deaths of 7 people in anti-illegal drugs operations in the city from March 23-26, 2024.

7 dead after Mayor Baste declares 'war on drugs' in Davao City

In an interview by the News Fort on Brigadier General Aligre Martinez, director of Police Regional Office (PRO) 11, he said that he acted upon the recommendation of the Regional Internal Affairs Service (RIAS) that conducts regular administrative investigations to relieve the said personnel to ensure fairness of the probe. 

“Based on the recommendations of RIAS, bilang ako naman ang disciplinary authority, nakita ko naman ang kanilang recommendations may grounds naman, so we acted on it,” Martinez told News Fort. 

Davao City declares ‘war on drugs’; 2 killed in police operations

PRO XI spokesperson Police Major Catherine Dela Rey earlier said the relief order from the RIAS will ensure the investigation will be independent and credible.  

PRO XI deputy regional director for operations Police Colonel Rolindo Suguilon is now the officer-in-charge or caretaker of the Davao City Police Office.