A CAGAYAN Valley-wide anti-criminality operations last Monday resulted in the arrest of 146 law offenders and surrender of 31 New People’s Army (NPA) members and supporters, Police Regional Office 2 (PRO2) director, Brigadier General Steve B. Ludan said.

In a report to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, General Dionardo B. Carlos, the PRO2 head said that of the 146 persons arrested, 100 were the subject of warrants of arrest for various criminal offenses, six of them among the region’s top most wanted persons.

Ludan said that also arrested were seven top drug targets in the region who yielded 60 grams of shabu worth around P727,000 and about P2,100 worth of dried marijuana leaves during separate anti-narcotics operations.

The arrested suspects are facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The official said their crackdown on loose firearms on Monday led to the confiscation of 11 unlicensed guns and one explosive. Two suspects arrested during the anti-illegal weapons’ raids are facing charges for violation of RA 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013.

Ludan said that on the same day, they were able to facilitate the surrender of seven regular NPA members in the region as well as 22 supporters of the rebel movement and two Militia ng Bayan active members who are being sought for various crimes.

“This is part of our continuing program to support the government’s National

Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict in Cagayan Valley,” the official said in referring to the surrender of the NPA members and sympathizers following talks with police officers.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon