SOCORRO, Surigao del Norte — The Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Office (SDNPPO) has strongly denied allegations circulating online that a police officer attempted to plant illegal drugs during an encounter captured in a viral video in Socorro town, stressing that no arrest, detention, or illegal act took place.
The clarification was issued following the spread of a post published by a local media Facebook page on June 1, 2026, which claimed that a police officer was seen planting illegal drugs on an individual. Authorities said the claim is “false and misleading,” urging the public to rely only on verified official statements.
Incident timeline and context
According to SDNPPO, the incident actually occurred at around 10:00 a.m. on May 29, 2026, in Barangay Navarro, Socorro, Surigao del Norte, in a public area reportedly covered by CCTV and visible to security personnel.
The police officer involved was reportedly coming from a personal transaction at the TANARIZ Fishermen Multipurpose Cooperative (TAFiMCO), where he had just withdrawn money and inquired about services.
Authorities said that upon exiting the establishment, the officer noticed an individual later featured in the viral video and approached only to ask a question. It was at this point, they added, that the situation escalated.
No arrest, no illegal items — police insist
In its official statement, SDNPPO categorically denied that any arrest or attempt to detain the individual took place.
The office stressed that the video itself shows no evidence of drugs being planted and no indication of any seizure or custodial action.
“The footage clearly shows no planting of evidence and no arrest,” the statement read.
Police further emphasized that the officer was not carrying any firearm or illegal substance during the encounter, noting that the only item visible in his possession was an ATM receipt issued by the cooperative.
Public reaction and misinformation concerns
Authorities acknowledged the rapid spread of the video online but warned against drawing conclusions based on incomplete or out-of-context footage.
SDNPPO urged the public to exercise caution and avoid sharing unverified content that could fuel confusion or damage reputations.
“We urge the public to stay calm, avoid spreading misinformation, and rely only on official PNP sources for accurate updates,” the statement added.
Local police reiterate due process commitment
The Socorro Municipal Police Station also issued a separate clarification in Cebuano, reinforcing that no arrest or detention attempt occurred, contrary to online claims.
It emphasized that the officer acted within normal circumstances and that the encounter was brief and non-confrontational before it was recorded by the individual involved.
Authorities reiterated their commitment to lawful procedures, professionalism, and respect for due process, saying the police force remains focused on maintaining peace and order in the community.
Call for responsible reporting
Both SDNPPO and Socorro police officials reminded the public and media pages to verify information before posting, especially content that may lead to public misunderstanding or distrust in authorities.
They also warned against the spread of fake news, saying accountability measures may be pursued against those who deliberately circulate false information.
As of press time, no further complaints or formal investigations related to the alleged incident have been announced.