One logbook showed routine entries, while the other appeared “sanitized,” indicating a significantly lower number of reported crimes. -Newsline Photo
Davao City, Philippines – Troubling inconsistencies in police logbooks have emerged, casting doubt on the credibility of Davao City’s reported low crime rates. The Philippine National Police (PNP) Director for the Davao Region, Nicolas Torre III, has raised concerns about discrepancies between two police blotter logbooks from the Calinan Police Precinct, which cover the period from January to June.
One logbook showed routine entries, while the other appeared “sanitized,” indicating a significantly lower number of reported crimes. “This is why I decided to relieve all police station commanders. They are not serving the people of Davao properly; the public deserves transparency in how police operate in their communities,” Torre explained.
An example Torre cited involved a motorcycle reported missing in Calinan on March 1 and 2. The next day, it was noted as “found” at the Talomo police station, although in reality, the vehicle had been stolen and its parts discovered in Talomo. “It was reported as ‘found,’ for record purposes, when, in truth, it was a case of theft,” Torre said.
Torre also highlighted a case where a mother reported her daughter’s sexual abuse at a police station on June 4. Despite the serious nature of the complaint, the police allegedly instructed them to wait for a call, rather than taking immediate action.
In another incident, a student’s report of a stolen mobile phone was recorded as “for record purposes” rather than being classified as theft. Additionally, a November 2023 entry logged 19 cases, including theft and robbery, but another logbook submitted to the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) recorded only three cases.
According to a PNP memorandum, all crimes must be logged in police blotters and forwarded to the DCPO as per the Crime Information, Reporting, and Analysis System (CIRAS). Non-compliance with this protocol is a criminal offense and could lead to dismissal.
Torre stated, “I could file charges, but I prefer to use this as a teaching moment.” He emphasized that he would not investigate records from previous years, preferring to focus on moving forward. “Dwelling on the past won’t benefit anyone and could harm the people of Davao even more,” he added.
He also noted that many of the 19 DCPO station commanders who have been reassigned continue to work in other provinces.
