73 arrests in 48 hours

The National Capital Regional Police Office’s war on illegal drugs took off on a positive note following the arrest of 73 people and the confiscation of at least a kilo of shabu and two vehicles.

Metro Police chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco said the arrests of the suspects came after his men conducted Metro-wide operations in the last two days against the sale, proliferation and possession of shabu.

In a joint press conference at the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) compound at Camp Crame, Velasco along with Deputy Director General Edgardo Aglipay and PDEA Director General Anselmo Avenido presented the 73 suspects and the confiscated evidence to the media.

"As directed by President Arroyo to effect significant accomplishments in three months, the Metro police with other law enforcement agencies are taking a pro-active approach to put a stop to the drug menace in the country," said Velasco.

Among the 73 suspects arrested in the campaign against sale and distribution of drugs were those caught in a buy-bust operation conducted by operatives of the Western Police District (WPD) Station 9 in Malate, wherein an estimated 700 grams of shabu and two vehicles were seized.

The WPD was responsible for the arrest of 39 suspected drug pushers; the Marikina City police, eight persons; Pasig City police, 22 persons; the Parañaque City police two suspects, and the San Juan police, two drug peddlers.

Velasco issued a stern warning against people supplying the market of illegal drugs saying no less than the President is leading the war against illegal drugs stressing a clear and present danger to our society particularly the youth.

At the same time, Velasco directed the five police district directors and 37 police chiefs to implement a three-pronged approach to the anti-drug campaign: The no-nonsense campaign to cleanse the Metro police of suspected drug pushers and users; no let-up drive against pushers and users including busting of drug syndicates and illegal drug laboratories; and non-stop involvement of the community and strong partnership with the police in the fight against illegal drugs to include terrorism and other forms of criminality.

Velasco stressed that the involvement of the community is vital in the over-all campaign to get rid of drugs by reporting the activities of drugs offenders and abusers through PNP Text 2920, Magic Eye Txt Patrol 2910 and the DILG Police Hotline 117. – With Nestor Etolle