THE DAVAO City Police Office (DCPO) clarified the news report aired on DWPM Radyo 630 Teleradyo Serbisyo Balita on June 4, 2024, at 7:55 AM.
DCPO spokesperson Captain Hazel Tuazon said the report, titled “Rep Barbers: 37 Pulis sa Davao nag positibo sa Drug test” (37 Davao police officers test positive for drugs), and subsequently shared on social media, is entirely false.
On May 30, 2024, the DCPO conducted a surprise drug test, and all personnel tested negative for methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu).
She said, “The DCPO strongly condemns the spread of this misinformation, which can damage public trust.”
“We urge everyone to verify information before sharing it,” the DCPO said. “Our commitment remains to providing the public with accurate and unbiased information.”
“We strongly condemn the dissemination of fake news, which has rapidly spread, causing misunderstanding and mistrust among the public,” the statement further said.
She said the 37 who were dismissed after failing their drug tests were previously employed by the Public Safety and Security Office, mostly from the Civil Security Unit.
Mayor Sebastian Duterte also confirmed that several local government employees tested positive for illegal drugs in a recent drug test.
PSSO head Angel Sumagaysay requested the random drug tests conducted last May 3 and 13.
The Davao City Anti-Drug Abuse Council clarified that those who tested positive can undergo voluntary drug rehabilitation. While CADAC facilitates the process, Sumagaysay emphasized that the decision to terminate rests with the department heads.
“PSSO is part of the security cluster, and we cannot have employees involved in illegal activities,” he said.
