THE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) assured the public that its personnel follow standard operating procedure in dealing with minors who are linked to illegal drug trade during the conduct of their anti-illegal drug operations.
DCPO director Senior Superintendent Alexander Tagum, in an interview on Monday, August 21, said that they adhere with the protocols set by the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters especially in rescuing children who are involved in illegal substance in accordance to the Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL) under R.A 9344 as amended by R.A. 10630, otherwise known as the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.
"We abide by this. Therefore, they are normally rescued by our Police Operatives during Drug Operations. We seriously follow our Police Operational Procedure as mandated by Higher Headquarters," Tagum said.
He underscored that in their previous operations, during their major simultaneous anti-criminality and anti-terrorist operations dubbed as One Time Big Time, they usually rescue children who they later turn over to the Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) or social welfare office.
"In all DCPO operations in the past, we discriminate between minors and adult drug suspects. May nakuha na kami before sa aming one time big time operation na minor and we immediately turned over him to City Social Works and Welfare Office of the City," he said.
Tagum also confirmed that there are minors who are included in their drug list in the city but he refused to further give details.
His statement came after a minor named Kian delos Santos, 17, and a high school student was killed in Barangay 160 in Caloocan City late Wednesday, August 16, for his alleged involvement in drugs.
According to reports, the minor fought back against the police, prompting them to shoot him. Authorities also recovered the .45 caliber short firearm and two small sachets of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as "shabu."
There are other versions of the story, however, where the family paint Kian as a law-abiding student.
Investigations are being conducted to determine if there are violations on the part of the police in the execution of the operation.