THE Police Regional Office-Davao Region (PRO-Davao) addressed the controversial alleged search operations at former President Rodrigo Duterte’s residence earlier this week, clarifying that they have no intention to conduct such and that no related security coordination was given by the Philippine National Police (PNP) central office.
The clarification followed after Davao City First District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte released a statement on April 30, 2025, that he received information that 90 Special Action Force (SAF) personnel and 30 from the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) from Luzon conducted an alleged illegal search at the former president’s home.
Several pro-Duterte supporters echoed similar claims on social media.
“Nung nakita namin yung gano’ng information, social media posts, agad kaming nagsagawa ng aming coordination at validation sa aming mga units ([When] we saw that information on social media, we immediately conducted coordination and validation in our units),” PRO-Davao Regional Director PBGen Leon Victor Rosete said.
“Nakausap namin ang CIDG, Special Action Force, at wala po silang impending operation sa bahay ni FPRRD. Hindi po tayo nag-conduct ng inspeksyon kasi malinaw naman po sa report ng ating mga kapulisan na walang mangyayaring operation,” Rosete added
(We spoke with CIDG and SAF, and they had no planned operation at FPRRD’s house. We did not conduct an inspection because our police reports clearly show no operation was planned.)
When asked whether the recent claims are connected to rumors of a raid on March 13 or an alleged arrest attempt on Duterte at Davao International Airport on March 9 — both reportedly linked to his alleged charges in the International Criminal Court (ICC), Rosete stated that it is premature to label the rumors as part of a coordinated strategy.
Meanwhile, he revealed that they are investigating to get to the primary source of the false information.
“Masyado pang maaga para i-connect to ngayon basta kami ay nag-iimbestiga. Titingnan namin dahil pare-pareho ang style, puro false information (It’s too early to connect them now, but we are investigating. We’ll look into it because the style is similar, all false information),” Rosete explained.
The highest-ranking police official in the region emphasized to the Davao media their intent to pursue legal action against individuals responsible for spreading false information. They warned those involved that they could face serious consequences under Philippine law.
Rosete stressed that in the Philippines, spreading false information, especially when it causes public panic or harms reputation may be punishable under several legal provisions. These include Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 10951, which penalizes the publication of false news that may endanger public order or damage the interests or credit of the state, with corresponding fines and imprisonment.
In addition, Republic Act No. 10175, also known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, imposes higher penalties when such false information is disseminated online, particularly under provisions related to cyber libel and other cyber-related offenses.
On the other hand, PNP spokesperson PBGen. Jean Fajardo reinforced the denial, stating that CIDG Director Major General Nicolas Torre III confirmed no operations occurred in Davao.
“They have no knowledge about the alleged operation of CIDG in Davao,” Fajardo explained to the national media.
Duterte released a statement claiming that police personnel had been deployed to their area in what he described as acts of harassment against his family. He also stated his strong condemnation of the “act of the PNP-CIDG”, saying that they had “clearly crossed the line into harassment.”
“It is disheartening to see that those who are sworn to uphold the law are being blinded — not by justice, but by money,” a portion of his statement reads.
The lawmaker, in the statement, also expressed frustration that real criminals appear to be overlooked, while certain individuals in higher positions of authority seem to have compromised their integrity for personal or political gain. He added that he criticized what “he perceives as a distorted sense of justice”.
Despite the police’s clarification, many loyal supporters have continued to gather and maintain a presence near Duterte’s residence, demonstrating unwavering solidarity. Some pro-Duterte groups remain vigilant in the Doña Luisa Subdivision, where they have organized informal watch groups and expressed their readiness to defend the former president against what they perceive as politically motivated threats. DEF with reports from Germa Siazon, UM Intern