In Central Visayas: 604 fall, P12.8 million shabu seized in 24 hrs

CEBU, Philippines —  A total of 604 suspects were arrested and at least P12.8 million worth of illegal drugs were seized in simultaneous police operations across Central Visayas on Saturday, the Police Regional Office-7 said.

In a statement, the PRO-7 said the operations – dubbed as Synchronized Enhanced Managing Police Operation (SEMPO) -- consisted of operations against illegal drug trade, illegal gambling, and loose firearms. It ran from midnight of Saturday, May 21, to midnight Sunday, May 22.

PRO-7 Director Police Brigadier General Roque Eduardo Vega said that within 24 hours, they served a total of 206 warrants of arrests to fugitives and conducted 411 operations on anti-illegal gambling, illegal drugs, and loose firearms.

The anti-illegal drug operations resulted in the confiscation of at least 1.889 kilos of shabu with an estimated value of P12,849,756.

Also, police authorities were able to confiscate 233 loose firearms and one explosive in these operations.

As for the campaign against illegal gambling activities, the police operations resulted in the arrest of 243 persons and the seizure of 160 gambling paraphernalia and machines, and a total amount of bet money P24,840.

In Cebu City alone, at least 34 suspects allegedly involved in illegal drug trade were arrested by the police during the same period. More than a million of suspected shabu was also seized.

“As what we have mentioned in the previous interview, this problem of illegal drugs is quite perennial like illegal gambling, and we also discussed various reasons why these drugs are still here now,” said Lt. Colonel Maria Theresa Macatangay, information officer of CCPO.

Macatangay said there will be no let-up in the campaign against illegal drugs as the police vow to strengthen its relationship with the community to continue their initiative in asking the public to report any suspicious illegal activities in their respective areas.

In the same statement, Vega said that the SEMPO primarily aimed at reducing crimes and improving public safety in the region with the full support and cooperation of the community. – JMD (FREEMAN)