OVER 1,500 individuals have been arrested in the campaign against illegal drugs and wanted persons in Central Visayas from October 13 to November 13.
Central Visayas police director Brig. Gen. Roderick Alba reported the feat during yesterday’s Laging Handa public briefing, summarizing the gains of the regional police office during his first 30 days in office.
Alba took the helm of the Central Visayas regional police office last October 13, replacing now-retired Brig. Gen. Eduardo Vega. Alba was the chief of the PNP Public Information Office before taking over the post.
“I think we contributed a lot here during (the first month) of our leadership here in Region VII (Central Visayas),” Alba said.
“During our first 30 days, we launched more than 500 operations (against illegal drugs) and we arrested 766 (suspects),” said Alba.
He said the anti-drug operations resulted in the seizure of more than 16 kilos of shabu worth P111.9 million.
“Just imagine if this ended up in the wrong hands — many will be victimized. That’s why we are proud of our leadership, we conducted many (anti-drug) operations,” he said.
Data from the Central Visayas police showed there were 554 anti-drug operations launched during the period. It also showed 46 of the arrested suspects were “high-value individuals” in the war against drugs.
The data also showed that 65 kilos of marijuana worth P7.83 million were also seized during the period. Also seized were two grams of cocaine worth P10,600 and two ecstasy tablets worth P34,000.
In the campaign against wanted criminals, Alba said they nabbed 129 “most wanted persons” and 688 other “wanted persons” in 789 operations conducted during the same period.
The Central Visayas regional police said 1,147 other individuals were arrested in the region during 506 anti-gambling operations. A total of P132,777 in cash were seized.
In the campaign against loose firearms, Central Visayas policemen seized 329 assorted firearms and arrested 66 individuals during 306 operations.
