Simultaneous raids net 139 suspected criminals

CEBU, Philippines — At least 139 individuals were arrested during simultaneous anti-criminality law enforcement operations in Cebu City last Wednesday.

A total of 188 operations were conducted by the operatives of Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) against illegal drugs, illegal gambling, loose firearms and service of warrants against several wanted persons.

Lt. Col. Wilbert Parilla, deputy city director for operations, said they have conducted 35 anti-illegal drug operations resulting in the arrest of 43 suspects—10 of them were considered high-value individuals.

"Ang weight sa grams nga atong na-recover is 226 grams," Parilla said.

In illegal gambling, the CCPO had also conducted 35 operations resulting in the arrest of 54 individuals. There were also 15 persons arrested for illegal possession of firearms that resulted in the seizure of 15 unregistered firearms.

Parilla said there were also 24 wanted persons arrested in 25 operations they conducted—four of the arrests were made by the operatives of Carbon Police Station.

He noted that all stations performed during the one day simultaneous anti-criminality campaign and has complied with what was required of them.

"This indicated that we are really serious on our campaign," Parilla said.

Detainee’s death

Meanwhile, the CCPO has ordered an investigation into the death of a female detainee at Labangon Police Station last Wednesday evening. Parilla said this is to ensure that no foul play was involved in the incident.

The body of the detainee, whose identity the police withheld, will be submitted for autopsy to determine the actual cause of death. Initial investigation revealed that the detainee was found dead inside the detention cell where she was isolated pending result of her swab test.

She was found hanging by the neck using a piece of cloth tied to the iron bars of the detention cell.

“According sa atong hepe sa station 10, mura og bangag pa kaayo ang kaning babayi…actually wala gani daw ni gihikot sa taas ang iyahang cord sa sanina, gihigot ra dira sa iyang selda, unya nag lingkod," Parilla said.

 She was one of the individuals arrested during the simultaneous anti-criminality law enforcement operations in Cebu City last Wednesday for selling illegal drugs. She was also arrested for the same offense last month but was released from jail after entering a plea bargaining agreement. — Dominic Dilao, UV Intern, FPL (FREEMAN)