Davao Cops Drug Test: 3 Shocking Positive Results Shake Trust in 2025

Alt text: Davao cops drug test uncovers three officers positive for illegal drugs

The Davao cops drug test controversy erupted on April 9, 2025, when three police officers from the Davao Oriental Police Provincial Office (DOPPO) tested positive for illegal drug use during a random screening. Conducted by Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11), the test revealed traces of methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu, in the officers’ systems. This revelation, part of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) internal cleansing campaign, has sparked outrage and raised questions about integrity within the force. This blog dives into the incident, its implications, and what it means for Davao’s law enforcement in 2025.

Table of Contents

• Overview of the Davao Cops Drug Test Incident
• Details of the Positive Results
• The PNP’s Internal Cleansing Campaign
• Impact on Public Trust in Davao Police
• Actions Taken Against the Officers
• Broader Context of Drug Issues in Davao
• Conclusion: Rebuilding Integrity in Policing

Overview of the Davao Cops Drug Test Incident

On April 9, 2025, a surprise drug test conducted by PRO 11 uncovered that three DOPPO officers tested positive for shabu, a highly addictive stimulant. The news, first reported by outlets like Brigada News Philippines, sent shockwaves through Davao Oriental, a province known for its strict anti-drug stance. The officers, whose identities remain undisclosed, were immediately placed under restrictive custody pending investigation, highlighting the PNP’s zero-tolerance policy.

This incident follows a pattern of drug-related scandals in the region, with eight Davao officers testing positive in November 2024. The Davao cops drug test failure underscores the challenges of maintaining discipline within law enforcement, especially in a region historically tied to aggressive anti-drug campaigns.

Details of the Positive Results

The three officers, ranging in rank from Patrolman to Police Staff Sergeant, were among those tested randomly at DOPPO’s headquarters. PRO 11’s forensic team used standard urine screening to detect methamphetamine, with confirmatory tests sealing the results. Brigadier General Leon Victor Rosete, PRO 11 Regional Director, emphasized accountability, stating, “Internal cleansing is a shared responsibility.” The officers were not high-ranking, contrary to earlier misinformation debunked on April 8, 2025, about PRO 11 spokesperson Major Catherine Dela Rey.

The test’s timing, unannounced to prevent tampering, aligns with PNP Chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil’s directive to root out drug use among personnel. While only three tested positive, the incident has spotlighted vulnerabilities in DOPPO, prompting calls for broader screenings across Davao’s 1,162 barangays.

The PNP’s Internal Cleansing Campaign

The Davao cops drug test is part of the PNP’s nationwide internal cleansing program, launched to ensure officers uphold the law they enforce. Initiated under Marbil’s leadership, the campaign mandates random drug tests, with 2024 seeing over 10,000 officers tested nationally. In Davao alone, PRO 11 conducted 15 surprise tests in 2024, catching eight officers previously.

The program goes beyond detection. Officers testing positive face pre-charge investigations, possible dismissal, and criminal charges under Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. Rosete noted that the goal is rehabilitation where possible, but “violations undermine public safety.” The campaign reflects a broader push to restore trust, especially after historical controversies like Davao’s drug war under former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Impact on Public Trust in Davao Police

The positive Davao cops drug test results have dented public confidence in DOPPO. Davao Oriental, with a population of 576,000, relies on its 1,200-strong police force for security. Posts on X from April 10–11, 2025, captured local sentiment, with users expressing dismay, one writing, “How can we trust cops who break the law?” The incident fuels skepticism in a region once dubbed the “safest” by Duterte’s allies, a claim questioned by 2024 crime data showing Davao City’s high murder rates.

Community leaders, like a Mati City barangay captain quoted in local media, urged transparency to rebuild faith. The scandal risks overshadowing PRO 11’s successes, like seizing PHP60.6 million in drugs in February 2025. Without swift action, distrust could hamper police-community cooperation, critical for crime prevention.

Actions Taken Against the Officers

Following the Davao cops drug test results, the three officers were disarmed, relieved of duties, and confined to PRO 11’s Holding and Accounting Unit. Administrative charges are underway, with a summary dismissal hearing scheduled within 30 days, per PNP protocols. Criminal charges for drug use, carrying up to seven years’ imprisonment, are also being prepared. Their firearms and badges were recalled to prevent misuse during the probe.

PRO 11 has promised a transparent investigation, with results to be publicized by May 2025. Rosete assured that rehabilitation programs are available, but termination is likely given the officers’ roles. This mirrors actions taken in November 2024, when seven Davao officers faced similar consequences, four of whom were dismissed by January 2025.

Broader Context of Drug Issues in Davao

Davao’s drug problem extends beyond this incident. In 2024, PRO 11 arrested 324 drug suspects and seized PHP60.6 million in shabu and marijuana, yet the region remains a transit hub for international syndicates, per a 2025 Wikipedia entry on the Philippine drug war. The Davao cops drug test failure echoes other scandals, like 37 Davao City Public Safety workers sacked in May 2024 for drug use. These cases highlight systemic challenges, despite claims of 68% drug-cleared barangays in 2022.

Historical context adds complexity. Duterte’s drug war, centered in Davao, led to thousands of deaths, with a 2025 ICC arrest warrant accusing him of crimes against humanity. Critics argue the campaign failed to curb drug networks, a view reinforced by officers’ involvement. Addressing this requires not just tests but cultural reform within the PNP. For more on drug policy, visit Human Rights Watch.

Conclusion: Rebuilding Integrity in Policing

The Davao cops drug test scandal, with three officers testing positive, is a wake-up call for Davao Oriental’s police force. It exposes gaps in discipline that undermine public safety and trust. While PRO 11’s swift response—custody, investigations, and transparency—shows commitment, the incident demands deeper reforms to prevent recurrence. From stricter vetting to ongoing training, the PNP must prove its officers are above reproach.

For Davao’s communities, this is a chance to demand accountability while supporting honest cops. The road to restoring faith is long, but with decisive action, DOPPO can emerge stronger. In 2025, as Davao navigates its complex drug legacy, integrity must be the foundation of policing. This scandal, though painful, could spark the change needed for a safer future.