The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) has strongly denied recent social media allegations suggesting that newly appointed officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Davao were involved in planting illegal drugs during routine vehicle checks. Acting DCPO director, Col. Hansel Marantan, labeled these accusations as unfounded, pointing out that no new police officers have been recently deployed to the city.
Marantan specifically addressed a viral social media post, purportedly from a local doctor, who claimed to have been stopped by police near a site called ‘Stargate’ near the old terminal. The doctor alleged that upon opening their car’s trunk as requested by the police, they discovered two small zip-lock bags filled with white crystals, which they claimed to have disposed of. Marantan dismissed this story as a recycled hoax that had been debunked years earlier.
The DCPO is currently working to trace the origins of this misleading information and identify those responsible for spreading it. Marantan emphasized the importance of fact-checking before sharing content online, suggesting that the post was part of a broader effort to destabilize the city’s law and order.
He encouraged the public to be cautious and responsible with the information they share, highlighting the need to combat false narratives that could undermine community trust and safety.