At least seven drug suspects who allegedly fought it out with authorities were killed in Davao City a few days after Mayor Sebastian Duterte declared a war versus illegal drugs. 

Duterte made the declaration during the turnover of command of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) on March 22, 2024.

“Kung di mo muundang kung di mo mohawa patyon tamo!” Duterte said.

The following day, a top drug personality in the city was killed during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Communal. Seized from the suspect were sachets of suspected shabu worth around P700,000, marijuana, and the suspect’s gun.

As of midday on March 26, the number of drug suspects killed in 21 drug operations has reached seven while 17 people were arrested and 22 cases were filed.

Police claimed that the seven drug suspects killed have fought back against the operating teams. Authorities added that most of the crimes in the city are attributed to illegal drugs.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has expressed concern and is set to conduct an investigation on drug-related killings in the city.

However, law enforcement agencies are ready to face any probe. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the DCPO have assured that all anti-illegal drug operations followed the rules of procedure.

“Naga-follow gyud mi sa atoang po police operation procedure dili man gud ta basta-basta mag-conduct og buy-bust operation kung walay validation or surveillance ana nga subject nato,” DCPO Spokesperson, Captain Hazel Tuazon, said.

“May Dec 20 kasi, ma'am, order ng DOJ, so we really need to comply... it is an involvement of the prosecution... in the case build-up pa lang, the operation must be intelligence-based... if we will not comply, hindi po ma-inquest ang kaso namin,” PDEA-11 Plans and Operations Division Chief, Iav Hazel Mandanao, said.

The Police Regional Office-Davao (PRO-11) also said an investigation is being conducted every time there is fatality in police operations.

“Kung may makalas na buhay, meron talagang kina-conduct na moto propio investigation ang internal affairs service ng Police Regional Office-11. Mas magaan sa loob namin na walang mamatay kasi wala kaming haharaping problema o disciplinary case,” PRO-11 Spokesperson, Major Catherine Dela Rey, said.