8 cops sacked over deaths of 7 drug suspects

 DCPO spokesman Captain Hazel Tuazon said the Regional Internal Affairs Service (RIAS) is taking incharge of the probe against the eight policemen.

The cops' relief is in compliance with the order of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. on Wednesday afternoon (Mar.27) to investigate on the alleged armed encounters with the seven drug suspects who were killed in separate buy-bust operations.

Tuazon in an interview over the phone Thursday noon, said the eight policemen assigned in different police stations are currently at DCPO’s Administration Holding section  while investigation is ongoing.

Tuazon also said the eight cops have also been disarmed.

She, however, said the incident will not hamper the ongoing operations against illegal drugs.

There were 7 drug suspects killed after allegedly fighting back with anti-drug operatives since March 22 in the wake of Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte’s warning against drug suppliers and users to leave the city or lose their lives.

At the AFP-PNP Press Corps briefing on Wednesday at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, Tuazon admitted that killing drug suspects during operations is not easy for them

“We are not happy that there are suspects who chose to fight the police and get killed,” she said.

She said families of those killed drug suspects may also file a complaint against the police if they want.

She, however, said that as of this writing, DCPO has not received any complaint from the suspects’ families since the war on drugs declaration started.

Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 spokesman Major Catherine dela Rey in the same briefing said the Regional Director Brig. Gen. Alden Delvo always reminded them to follow the police operational procedures and to act within the bounds of law during operations.

When asked to comment on the investigation being conducted by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), dela Rey said PRO has yet to receive any queries regarding the reported drug-related killings.

Since the war on drugs declaration, DCPO has already launched 34 anti-illegal drug operations and arrested 34 persons.

DCPO data showed, about 281.5559 grams of shabu with a standard drug price of over P1.9 million and 125.4824 grams of marijuana were seized from March 22 to March 28.

The police were able to file 27 cases in court. 

The regional office of PDEA Plans and Operation Division chief Hazel Mandanao, meanwhile, expressed support for the mayor’s war on drugs, but emphasized it should be in a lawful manner.

“We are very thankful to the Mayor because we really feel his support but before the pronouncement, PDEA has already launched several operations not just in Davao City but also across Davao Region,” Mandanao said.