Davao Police denies implementing reward system in drug war

The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) said it is unaware of the “Davao model” that was allegedly used in the nationwide anti-illegal drugs campaign of former president Rodrigo Duterte, GMA Regional TV’s Rgil Relator reported on Unang Balita on Tuesday.

DCPO spokesperson Police Captain Hazel Tuazon also denied that they are implementing a reward or quota system for the killing of drug suspects in operations.

“Wala kaming alam sa Davao model kung anong target niyan (We don't know anything about that Davao model and its target),” Tuazon said in the vernacular.

“Sa atin lang kasi, mayroon tayong constant na meetings, conferences with the station commanders kung paano ang pag-improve sa ating operations para maging positive and successful ang resulta,” she added.

(On our part, we have constant meetings, conferences with the station commanders on how to improve our operations so that the result is positive and successful.)

Duterte was a longtime mayor of Davao City before he ran and won the presidency in 2016. He will run again for city mayor in the 2025 elections.

Royina Garma, a former police officer and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager, earlier claimed that there was a payment and rewards system for killing drug suspects.

She said Duterte allegedly asked her to look for an officer who would implement the “Davao model” of the war on drugs on a national scale.

The model supposedly involved a P1 million reward for killing drug suspect.

Duterte’s camp denied the allegations. Salvador Panelo, Duterte's former presidential chief legal counsel, called Garma's claim “pure imagination or fertile speculation,”

Panelo pointed out that the alleged meeting between Garma and Duterte occurred in May 2016, a month before Duterte assumed office in July 2016.

“What is evident is that Garma may have succumbed to threat or intimidation under pain of incarceration if she did not make the allegations contained in her affidavit,” Panelo said.

“Garma claims she declined being part of the alleged intended replication of the 'Davao model,' if that is so, she could not have any knowledge of the Davao model plan—assuming there was one—if it was pursued or operated,” he added.

Amid the issue, Tuazon said the DCPO will remain dedicated to their duty.

“Ang DCPO would be part of the solution. Hindi tayo maging parte ng mga problema sa kung anuman ang ibinabato sa DCPO. Hindi lang sa DCPO, sa ngalan na under tayo ng PNP organization, manatili ang ating kapulisan sa DCPO at maging matibay at hindi magpapaapekto,” she said.

(The DCPO would be part of the solution. We would not be part of the problem or accusations being thrown at the DCPO. Not only in the DCPO, but also under the PNP organization, our police would remain loyal to the DCPO, strong, and not affected.) — Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA Integrated News