IN line with the directive of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, the director of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) said they are intensifying their campaign against wanted persons, organized crime gangs and loose firearms.

“In line with our commitment to deliver the best police service to the public, we have initiated more focused police operations which serves as our priority thrusts,” said Major Gen. Leo M. Francisco.

The official enumerated their major thrusts, such as the CIDG Oplan: Salikop or the drive against organized crime groups and criminal gangs; Oplan Paglalansag Omega or the campaign against private armed groups; and Oplan Pagtugis or the drive against wanted criminals.

Other PNP-CIDG anti-criminality campaigns such as Oplan Bolilyo, Oplan Sagip Anghel, Oplan Megashopper and other law enforcement activities are likewise given equal importance in the attainment of the goal of the PNP for a safe and economically-sound community, the official added.

Oplan Bolilyo is the campaign against all forms of illegal gambling while Oplan Sagip Anghel refers to the drive against child abuse and exploitation.

Oplan Mega Shopper aims to combat smuggling, manufacturing, distribution and trading of counterfeit products nationwide.

PNP-CIDG records showed that from May 6 to 12 this year, members of the unit conducted 262 manhunt operations which resulted in the arrest of 259 wanted persons.

During the period, the PNP-CIDG also seized 19 illegal firearms amid their intensified drive versus loose firearms and arrested a member of the New People’s Army.

The same period also saw the PNP-CIDG hauling to jail 41 other lawbreakers and confiscating nearly P2 million worth of crime evidence.

Francisco said the arrests were made amid the instructions of Gen. Marbil to accomplish 70 percent of warrants of arrest for wanted individuals in the country.

Two weeks ago, the PNP-CIDG arrested 60 wanted persons in the country, three of them South Korean fugitives following a string of manhunt operations across the country.

Francisco said three of the wanted Koreans were arrested in Brgy. Bulacao, Talisay City, Cebu.

He identified them as one alias Han, 37; Jo, 37; and Lee, 36, who are all subjects of a warrant of arrest for violation of Article 334 of the Criminal Act of Korea otherwise known as special robbery issued by the Seoul Eastern District Court last January 31.

The three were members of a group engaged in using sophisticated instruments like tracking devices and surveillance cameras to secretly monitor their victims to obtain passwords and other personal information.

The breach of the security of various residences in Korea earned the suspects over 4.5 million Korean Won (KRW) worth of personal properties owned by their victims.

Francisco said the CIDG Regional Field Unit 7 also arrested two Regional Most Wanted Persons in Central Visayas last Sunday.

One of the two, identified as alias Jomar, 35, is wanted for two counts of acts of lasciviousness.

The 2nd suspect, identified as alias Roger, 28, was arrested in Brgy. Basak in Lapu-Lapu City, also in Cebu.

The 55 other wanted persons were arrested in a 24-hour operation launched by the CIDG last Monday.

Francisco said that one of the suspects, identified as alias Nathan, 21, is the subject of a P135,000 reward offered by the Department of Interior and Local Government.

The suspect was arrested in Camarines Sur for two counts of rape with no recommended bail.

Others were John, 21, who is facing a rape case; Ruel, 38, who is the subject of a non-bailable warrant of arrest for three counts of rape.

Another identified as alias Henry, 30, who was arrested for murder.

Francisco said he is bent on producing more top-notch Crime Investigators and Detectives who will send top criminals and their masterminds to jail as the 48th chief of the PNP-CIDG, the Journal Group learned.