The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) filed a cybercrime complaint against a male vlogger based in Davao City for allegedly spreading false information about a supposed police raid on the residence of former President Rodrigo Duterte. The DCPO stated that the vlogger was charged for violating Article 154 of the Revised Penal Code (Unlawful Use of Means of Publication and Unlawful Utterances) in relation to Section 6 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act (Republic Act 10175). The complaint was filed by the Ecoland Police Station in coordination with the Regional Anti-Cyber Crime Unit 11 (RACU 11) at the Davao City Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday. A joint investigation by the City Investigation and Detective Management Unit (CIDMU) and RACU 11 found the claims made in the vlogger’s livestream to be “false and misleading.” The vlogger, who went live on Facebook on April 30, falsely claimed that around 30 members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and 90 Special Action Force (SAF) personnel from Luzon conducted a raid at Duterte’s home in Doña Luisa Subdivision, Matina, Davao City. Brigadier General Leon Victor Rosete, Police Regional Office XI (PRO XI) director, stated that the police are preparing for the possibility of more “fake news” circulating. He clarified that the police went to the area only to ensure safety and security, not to conduct any operation. Rosete linked the “raid rumors” to other “fake posts,” including claims of a “leaked” police memo ordering officers to wear red during a political event in Davao del Norte last February and another about 90 officers being reassigned to the Bangsamoro region. PRO XI spokesperson Catherine Dela Rey emphasized the Philippine National Police’s “professionalism” and “non-partisan” stance amid backlash from netizens, particularly pro-Duterte supporters, as the midterm elections approach on May 12.
