‘No special treatment for ex-Davao info officer’

Davao de Oro drug raid

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang yesterday disputed claims that former Davao city government information officer Jefry Tupas was given special treatment and was allowed to leave during a recent drug raid in Davao de Oro.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said Tupas was not included in the search warrant issued by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), which conducted the drug raid on a beach resort last Saturday.

“PDEA has confirmed that the former information officer of Mayor Sara (Duterte-Carpio) was not included in the search warrant or arrest warrant issued for the buy-bust operation. He was not identified as a key personality in that raid,” Roque told a press briefing.

On criticisms that the raid was a reflection of the treatment given to those who are close to people in power, Roque said it has no basis because Tupas was not included in the raid.

Seventeen persons were arrested and illegal drugs worth P1.5 million were confiscated when anti-narcotics agents swooped down on the resort, according to PDEA.

Some of those arrested said Tupas was with them during the raid, but was allowed to leave after he introduced himself as a “staff of Inday Sara.”

Carpio relieved Tupas from his post following the incident.  She said Tupas “signified his resignation on the same moment he was informed that he is terminated from work with the city government of Davao.”

The mayor did not give details, saying these are “known only to PDEA and Tupas.”

Tupas said he was at the party, but claimed he had left the place before PDEA agents and local police arrived.