PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. yesterday vowed the police force will sustain its “aggressive operations” throughout the country in the coming weeks leading to the holiday season.
Azurin made the vow as he reported significant accomplishments, including the seizure of 67.8 kilos of shabu, 194 kilos of marijuana products and 710,000 fully-grown marijuana plants with a total amount of P625.1 million.
Azurin said the illegal drugs were seized during 1,790 operations launched from September 1 to 17.
He said 1,952 drug offenders and high-value targets were arrested and no one was killed during the operations.
In the campaign against wanted persons, Azurin said 3,142 suspects have been “accounted” for over the past 16 days. Seven of the suspects, he said, are included in the list of most wanted persons with monetary reward offered for their arrest.
“These operations against wanted persons resulted in the death of one subject of arrest while 32 other wanted persons surrendered to authorities,” Azurin said, adding the rest were arrested.
Azurin also reported that 13 organized crime groups have been neutralized with the arrest of 80 gang members, surrender of four others from September 1 to 17, and recovery of 13 firearms.
“No deaths were reported in these operations against criminal gangs,” added Azurin.
He also said policemen recovered 50 of the 60 vehicles that were reported stolen since September 1.
The PNP chief also reported that 896 loose firearms were either seized or surrendered this month.
Azurin said PNP personnel arrested 25,722 gambling personnel and P4.3 million in gambling bets were confiscated during 4,708 operations this month. He said 3,005 cases were filed against the suspects in court.
“These aggressive operations will be sustained in the weeks ahead leading to the Holiday Season when we shall double our efforts in response to the exigency of the situation,” said Azurin.
Earlier yesterday, Azurin led the launching of the revitalized PNP Kasimbayan (Kapulisan, Simbahan, at Pamayanan).
Kasimbayan is a synergy of the police, church and community efforts to address various issues.
