- 2 popular bars face shutdown after VRU raids
AT LEAST 90 individuals were issued ticketed and two popular nightlife spots are facing administrative sanctions following a series of early morning operations by the Vices Regulation Unit (VRU) on Sunday, July 26, 2026.
According to an official report provided to TIMES by VRU head Jay Francia, enforcement teams targeted repeat offenders operating past the city’s mandatory liquor ban hours and enforcing anti-smoking ordinances in the downtown and Agdao areas.
The first major operation took place at around 2:30 a.m. at a bar along Monteverde Avenue in Agdao.
Inspectors caught the establishment operating in violation of city ordinances, resulting in citation tickets being issued to 32 individuals, including members of the bar’s management.
VRU records indicate that the Monteverde establishment had already been cited multiple times and was under prior administrative review by the Business Bureau.
Less than an hour later, at approximately 3:16 a.m., VRU operatives inspected another bar located inside the SK Compound in Bajada.
The establishment was caught serving and allowing the consumption of alcoholic beverages to patrons well past the legal curfew. A total of 60 individuals inside the Bajada bar were issued citation tickets on the spot.
Show cause orders
Due to the persistent nature of the violations at the Bajada venue, Francia confirmed they will formally recommend a show cause order from the Business Bureau, which could jeopardize the bar’s business permit.
“The said establishment [was] issued a citation ticket for the violation and to be recommended for a show cause order from the Business Bureau for repeated violations per record and despite having been administratively sanctioned,” Francia further stated.
In addition to the liquor ban operations, the VRU reported significant activity under its anti-smoking drive.
Between 11:05 p.m. on July 25 and 6 a.m. on July 26, operatives issued citation tickets to 31 individuals caught violating the city’s Anti-Smoking Ordinance in various public areas.
Authorities continue to remind business owners and patrons that strict enforcement of Davao City’s local ordinances regarding liquor sales and public smoking remains active to ensure public order and safety.
