POLICE Regional Office 5 director Brig. Gen. Westrimundo Obinque yesterday announced the arrest of nearly 1,000 lawbreakers in Bicol amid their intensified effort to go after all wanted persons and other violators of the law in the different city and municipal ordinances in the region.

In a report to Philippine National Police chief Gen. Benjamin C. Acorda Jr., the Bicol police director said that among those arrested during the 6 a.m. Thursday to 6 a.m. Friday operation were four drug personalities in the region.

Recovered from the suspects were nearly four grams of shabu worth around P26,000 and the buy-bust money paid to them by undercover officers.

Also arrested were six wanted persons, four for illegal gambling and two for violation of environmental laws.

Obinque said that nine others were also arrested for illegal possession of firearms.

The PRO5 director said that his men also conducted 862 operations to enforce different city, provincial and municipal ordinances during the 24-hour period as part of their stepped-up effort to ensure peace and order and instill discipline among local residents.

Obinque said that as a result, a total of 159 were caught for drinking and smoking in public places, 103 for roaming the streets without shirts, four for urinating on the side street, littering and dumping of garbage, 11 for using karaoke beyond the allowed time, 169 for violating the curfew hours, 142 for erecting illegal structures and obstruction subject to road-clearing operations, and 274 for violation of the traffic code.

The official said that 271 of those apprehended were ordered to pay a total of P183,800 in fines to the local government while 591 were released after being given stern warning they would be charged if caught again.

Obinque said that he has ordered the provincial offices of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon and the Naga City Police Office to strictly enforce all local ordinances in their areas of jurisdiction.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon