Caraga cops arrest 376 lawbreakers
PHILIPPINE National Police chief, General Dionardo B. Carlos yesterday lauded the Police Regional Office (PRO) 13 headed by Brigadier Gen. Romeo M. Caramat Jr. for their all-out anti-criminality campaign in time for their preparations to ensure an honest and orderly May 2022 national and local elections in the region.
The top cop said he also wants all other police regional offices to ensure that they will be regularly conducting operations to account for loose firearms and most wanted persons in their jurisdiction.
Carlos referred to the PRO13’s recent one-day simultaneous anti-criminality operations which resulted in the arrest of 376 lawbreakers, 196 of them wanted persons.
The day-long Simultaneous Anti-Criminality Law Enforcement Operations or the so-called “one-time, big-time operations” were conducted by PRO13 operatives late last week in Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands and Butuan City.
“This is a testament that we have a working police force gearing towards its prime duty to enforce the law. This is so timely that we are intensifying our anti-criminality efforts. With the arrest of the suspects, we are simply showing that there is a legal procedure that we strictly adhere to and that we will give them their day in court,” Carlos said.
Caramat reported to the PNP chief that their SACLEO netted 376 law offenders including 196 wanted persons, 22 known drug personalities, 28 for possession of loose firearms and 130 others for violation of special laws specifically the anti-illegal gambling, anti-illegal logging and anti-illegal fishing laws.
The Caraga police director said that 49 members and supporters of the New People’s Army in the region likewise surrendered to various police units in the region following talks with officials.
All will be given priority in availing the government’s comprehensive livelihood program to enable them to return to the mainstream of the society and feed their families well.
PRO13 agents served 12 search warrants for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and conducted 10 separate buy-bust operations which led in the confiscation of some P1.552 million worth of shabu and marijuana.
Carlos ordered the Caraga police to further sustain their campaign against criminality specifically illegal drugs and go all-out versus loose firearms and partisan armed groups that may be used to disrupt the holding of a peaceful and orderly May 2022 national and local elections in the region.
