Col. Richard Bad-ang has assumed as the new chief of the Davao City Police Office following a turnover of command on Friday, March 22, 2024. FILE PHOTO/BING GONZALES
MANILA, Philippines — The director of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) was relieved from his position on Thursday amid the ongoing probe launched by the Regional Internal Affairs Service (RIAS) into the deaths of seven individuals during a drug operation late last March.
In a statement, Davao Region police said Col. Richard Bad-ang was removed from his post in connection to a police operation last March 23 to 26. RIAS 11’s recommendation was approved by Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 director Brig. Gen Aligre Martinez.
READ: CHR launches probe on deaths in Davao City’s ‘restarted’ drug war
“The City Director of Davao City Police Office, Col. Richard P. Bad-ang was administratively relieved from his position on May 23, 2024,” PRO 11 said.
“The said momentary removing of personnel from their duties was to ensure an independent and credible investigation,” it added.
Bad-ang’s relief “aims to prevent these personnel from unduly influencing witnesses or tampering of evidence,” it further disclosed.
READ: Deadly war on drugs, again
Following this move, police said it has installed Col. Rolindo Suguilon as the officer-in-charge of DCP on top of his duties as the deputy director for operations in the region.
Based on previous reports, the death of the seven suspects occurred four days after Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, the son of former President Rodrigo Duterte, announced the renewal of the campaign against illegal drugs in the city due to an alleged increase of drug dealing in the region.
Police said the seven, who allegedly resisted the authorities, were reportedly shot dead by Davao City police during a buy-bust operation.
Aside from this, the Commission on Human Rights office in Davao reported also last March that it initiated an investigation into the deaths of individuals 24 hours after the drug war “restarted” in the area.