The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) has denied circulating social media claims that a large volume of illegal drugs worth millions or billions of pesos was seized in Davao City.
In a statement, the DCPO said the viral posts were false, malicious and without factual basis. Authorities clarified that no such incident was reported, recorded or occurred within the Area of Responsibility of Davao City.
Police explained that the photos used in the viral posts were taken from a separate law enforcement operation conducted in Bacolod City. According to the DCPO, the Bacolod operation involved smuggled cigarettes and was not related to any anti-illegal drug operation in Davao City.
The clarification came after a vlogger identified as Cymer Chen posted content claiming that drugs in large quantities were found in Davao City. The post included captions suggesting that illegal drugs were commonly discovered in the city. The DCPO strongly denied the claim.
DCPO City Director PCOL Peter Bauzon Madria emphasized that spreading false information is irresponsible and harmful because it misleads the public, damages reputations and creates unnecessary alarm. He added that such acts also undermine public trust in legitimate law enforcement operations.
The DCPO warned that individuals who create, post or share false information may face criminal liability under existing laws, including provisions of the Revised Penal Code related to unlawful publication and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Authorities said an investigation will be conducted in coordination with the Cybercrime Unit and other concerned offices to identify those responsible for spreading the false information.
Police also urged the public to verify information before sharing it online and rely on official government sources.
