Tri-cities yield most drugs, gamblers in simultaneous raids

CEBU, Philippines — The tri-cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu yielded most of the drugs during the one-day Simultaneous Anti-Criminality Law Enforcement Operations (SACLEO) in Central Visayas, said the Police Regional Office (PRO)-7.

In a statement released on Wednesday, PRO-7 Director, Police Brigadier General Roderick Augustus Alba, said the operations were held last Tuesday and netted about P8.1 million in illegal drugs.

A record sent to The FREEMAN yesterday revealed that Mandaue City yielded P3,504,652 worth of shabu, while Cebu City had P2,854,572, and Lapu-Lapu City at P830,824.

About P1,800 worth of Marijuana was also seized in Cebu City.

For illegal gambling, the region arrested about 190 gamblers and confiscated 156 gambling paraphernalia.

Of the 190 gamblers arrested, 72 of them were arrested in Cebu City.

Cebu Province followed suit with 47 arrested in 28 operations, while Negros had 39 people arrested in 18 operations.

In the list of wanted persons, including the most wanted persons (MWPs) arrested, Central Visayas has 213 in total.

Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) ranked first with seven MWPs and 73 other wanted persons (OWPs).

Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) and Bohol Provincial Police Office (BOPPO) came next with six MWPs each; and 46 and 12 OWPs, respectively.

Meanwhile, the region also recovered 181 unlicensed firearms and seven explosives.

Alba said their collaboration with other government agencies, stakeholders, faith-based advocacy groups, and the community contributed hugely to the success of their various law enforcement operations.

"Team PNP Region 7 is crafting trust-building strategies as part of the security preparation during major events in accomplishing our mission and vision focused on three basic objectives – reducing crime, reducing the fear of crime, and eliminating the disorder as the holiday season draws near. Only by working together, we see the positive impact of our collective efforts," he said.

The PRO-7 had earlier said it would intensify its Anti-Criminality, Anti-Illegal Drugs, including Anti-Corruption operations. — Robhe Jane C. Yara, GAN (FREEMAN)