Davao mayor denies racial profiling in ‘Oplan Bulabog’

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and police authorities denied Tuesday speculations on racial profiling in the local government’s “Oplan Bulabog,” saying the operation targets not only Muslims but also Christians.

The mayor said it was unfortunate that “radicalism is associated with Muslims.”

She vowed that no racial profiling will happen in the conduct of Oplan Bulabog, which was launched last week following the Marawi siege.

Chief Superintendent Manuel Gaerlan, Police Regional Office XI director, said it was merely incidental that most of those rounded up during the operation in two barangays were Muslims.

“Pwede naman ito (Oplan) gawin kahit saan (We can do this anywhere),” Gaerlan said.

Davao City Police Office director Alexander Tagum said the Task Force Davao and city police conducted simultaneous unified Oplan Bulabog in Barangays 23-C and 76-A.

Oplan Bulabog led to the conduct of background investigation into about 1,000 residents from the two barangays, with 223 individuals failing to show proper identification after barangay officials declined to vouch for them.

Duterte-Carpio noted that the two barangays have mixed population.

Tagum said the DCPO and Task Force Davao will jointly continue with Oplan Bulabog to thwart plots by terrorists and will promptly act on any information that could help the police and the task force in this endeavor.

Tagum said their operation was part of the efforts to prevent the entry of terrorists in the city and for the security of Davaoenos.

Oplan Bulabog was launched after the declaration of martial law on May 23. Last week, the mayor said the city is on a “hold and secure” status. She also issued guidelines for Davaoenos to observe during martial law period.

One of these is for Davaoenos to always bring proof of identification, particularly during crisis situations.

During the City Peace and Order meeting last Friday, Gaerlan proposed to the barangay officials to require new entrants in their areas to register.

He said this will also protect the city from radicals and terrorists by being vigilant about people in the neighborhood.