The city government of Davao has terminated former City Information Officer Jefry Tupas following her alleged ‘presence’ in a party that was a subject of a lighting drug raid on Saturday evening at the Sea Eagles Beach Resort in Pindasan, Mabini, Davao de Oro, a 90-minute drive from Davao City.
Tupas, who claimed in an interview that she had left an hour before the raid, was terminatted the following day.
In a statement, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio confirmed the report in a statement that read in part: “last Sunday, Jefry signified his resignation and on the same moment he was informed that he is terminated from work with the city government of Davao.”
“The former City Information Officer, Jefry Tupas, of the city government of Davao was involved in a drug raid last November 6 in the Municipality of Mabini, Province of Davao de Oro. The details of the raid are known only to the PDEA officers in Davao de Oro and Mr. Tupas.” Mayor Sara said in the statement.
Tupas earlier issued a statement admitting that she attended the said party as a guest but said she left the party right after dinner.
“I was there because like the other guests, I was invited. But I left right after dinner with my boyfriend and another friend,” Tupas said in a statement.
Tupas issued the statement after questions were raised by some netizens on social media why he was not among those who were detained and his name was not on the list of those arrested when he was seen in the photographs posted on social media by those who attended the party.
Tupas, who is also known for her amusing and informative social media posts, deactivated her Facebook account after the raid.
Tupas is a staunch supporter and defender of the Duterte family and a close friend of Mayor Sara whom she calls “sis” (sister).
On Saturday, Mindanews reported that the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Davao raided the birthday party of celebrator Revsan Ethelbert P. Elizalde, single, and a resident of Catalunan Pequeño, who was allegedly caught selling one plastic sachet believed to be a party drug worth P2,000 and marijuana worth P6,000 to an agent who acted as a buyer.
Arrested during the operation were Elizalde’s guests namely Eana Faye Marie Olea, Bryk Jiordan Archival, Kurk Bryan Tiubot, Paolo Guerero, and 12 others identified as Jomark Aping, Ariel Bueno, Edel Caballero, Ronald Chuan, Fritz Dinopol, Tom Jhun Doblas, Mark Christopher Isip, Janlord Masong, Christopher Prudente, Jesus Ragas III, Giovanni Tabanao and Jason Viduya while allegedly having a drug session.
According to the report, PDEA-Davao recovered 26 pieces of heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets believed to be marijuana leaves weighing around 200 grams worth P24,000; three pieces of transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu weighing 10 grams worth P150,000; 722 tablets/capsules of suspected party drugs worth P1,227,400; nine plastic bottles with suspected liquid party drugs worth P15,000; two vials containing suspected liquid party drugs worth P17,000; 77 pieces suspected lysergic acid diethylamide(LSD) worth P130,000; and seven bottles of energy drinks.
The apprehended individuals, who are detained at a detention facility of NBI-Davao, will face cases of violation of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
