SEMPOs net 86 suspects, P34M shabu seized
A TWO-day conduct of the “Synchronized Enhanced Managing Police Operations” or SEMPOs in Central Visayas last week led to the arrest of 86 lawbreakers and confiscating of over P34 million worth of shabu, Police Regional Office 7 (PRO7) Director Brigadier General Roderick Augustus B. Alba said on Monday.
In a report to Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr., the PRO7 director said that the 86 were arrested following the conduct of the so-called “One-Time, Big-Time” anti-criminality operations against illegal drugs, gambling, loose firearms, most wanted persons (MWPs), and communist terrorist groups from Friday to Sunday.
Alba said that one of those arrested in the conduct of the anti-narcotics operations was alias “Janet”, a “high-value target” in the region who yielded some 5 kilograms of shabu worth P34 million during a buy-bust operation at Gate 3 MEPZ in Barangay Ibo in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu province.
In their stepped-up drive versus wanted persons, the Central Visayas police director said that two of the region’s most wanted men were arrested.
One of the MWPs, the subject of a non-bailable warrant of arrest for the sale and possession of prohibited drugs under the Republic Act (RA) 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, was arrested in Bgy. Mabolo in Cebu City. The suspect was described as the 6th MWP in Cebu before his arrest.
On the other hand, tagged as the 8th MWP in Cebu was arrested in his hiding place in Poblacion, Compostela town. The suspect faces a rape case with no bail recommended for his temporary liberty.
Alba also reported the capture of a known New People’s Army (NPA) squad leader in Negros Oriental during a manhunt operation in Sitio Cantipon in Bgy. Bonawon in Siaton, Negros Oriental.
He said that the suspect is the subject of a non-bailable warrant for violation of RA 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013.
The official also said he had ordered a massive manhunt for a group of armed men who abducted a male victim in Purok Bgy. Bulilis in Ubay, Bohol.
An initial investigation showed that the gunmen on board a white van without plate numbers forcibly entered the victim’s residence before dragging him into their waiting vehicle.
