NEARLY P445 million worth of shabu and other illegal drugs have been seized by agents of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 headed by Brigadier General Anthony A. Aberin over the past three months and-a-half amid their intensified campaign against criminality, the Journal Group learned Saturday.

From January 1 to April 9, 2024, the PRO-7 reported to Philippine National Police chief General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil they have launched 1,733 anti-narcotics operations in Central Visayas.

The operations resulted in the arrest of 2,055 targets and the confiscation of P444,426,822.40 worth of illegal drugs, including nearly 66 kilograms of shabu.

The PRO-7’s campaign against loose firearms during the period has led in the conduct of 1,242 operations which led in the confiscation of 1,388 illegal firearms and the arrest of 274 persons.

Aberin said they also accounted for 1,833 wanted persons in the region as a result of 1,831 manhunt operations during the period.

He said that 219 of the now jailed suspects are facing non-bailable criminal charges such as rape, murder and illegal possession of drugs and firearms.

The official said their anti-illegal gambling campaign during the same period led in the arrest of 4,059 persons, the filing of 2,187 charges in court and the confiscation of nearly P476,000 in cash bets.

The PRO-7 director said they are also ensuring that the rule of law will be followed as they wage a campaign against illegal drugs as ordered by Gen. Marbil.

Since 2023, the PRO-7 accounted for some P1.140 billion worth of shabu thru intelligence-driven operations, thus effectively preventing the distribution and sale of huge volume of prohibited substances in Central Visayas.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon