Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte condemned the removal of 35 Davao police personnel, including Police Chief P/Colonel Richard Bad-ang, due to alleged drug-related killings. Bad-ang was placed under administrative suspension to prevent him from influencing the investigation by the Police Regional Office-Davao. Duterte criticized the move, emphasizing that it undermines the trust between the community and law enforcement.
The removal followed an investigation by the Regional Internal Affairs Service-Davao into the alleged drug-related killings in March 2024. Despite these allegations, Duterte highlighted the Davao City Police Office’s effectiveness, citing a significant 69% decrease in focus crimes from May 2023 to May 2024, attributing this success to the dedication and competence of the police force working closely with his administration.
Photo source: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1206708
