PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief, General Debold M. Sinas, yesterday lauded the Police Regional Office 5 in Bicol for their series of accomplishments in their war on drugs, criminality and local insurgency.

“These accomplishments are strong indications that our personnel on the ground are really determined to arrest lawbreakers and criminals despite the threat of this pandemic,” the top cop said to commanding officers and men of the Bicol police force headed by Brigadier Gen. Jonnel C. Estomo.

Estomo, a former director of the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group, has vowed a more aggressive campaign against drugs and illegal firearms which may be used in the commission of crimes in Bicol region vis-à-vis their ongoing effort to attract more New People’s Army rebels to surrender and return to the mainstream of the society.

As part of their simultaneous anti-criminality and law enforcement operations or the so-called ‘One-Time, Big-Time’ anti-crime drive in a day, the member of Philippine Military Academy ‘Tanglaw Diwa’ Class of 1992 said he has ordered all Bicol police units to produce regular result in their crackdown against illegal drugs and violators of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013.

Last week, Estomo said they confiscated 47 loose firearms and three explosives and arrested 27 suspects following a series of anti-crime raids. Six armed suspects were also killed in gunbattles with the local police.

Estomo said one of the suspects identified as Mario Sandrino, a member of the notorious Concepcion Crime Gang was killed in a firefight with officers who raided his residence in Barangay San Miguel in Bato, Camarines Sur. Two loaded .38 caliber revolvers were recovered from the slain suspect.

The PRO5 director described Sandrino as a notorious robber, gun-for-hire and car thief in Bicol.

A 2nd suspect identified as Froilan Oaferina III, a ‘kagawad’ of Bgy. Tambo in Buhi, Camarines Sur was also killed in a shootout with lawmen who raided his house. Estomo said that Oaferina has been tagged as a ‘high-value individual’ due to his involvement in illegal drug

The 3rd identified as Marlon Collantes, a member of the NPA’s Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad was killed in an encounter with government troops in Sitio Libtong Dakula in Bgy. Payatan, Goa, Camarines Sur.

A 4th identified as Frondoso Begonia, another member of the NPA’s Militia ng Bayan, was arrested in the same barangay while in possession of a rifle grenade and a .38 caliber revolver with six live ammunition.

The 5th identified as Raffy Llagas, another Militia ng Bayan member was killed in a shootout with policemen who raided his house in Zone 1, Bgy. Antipolo in Iriga City. Recovered during the operation were a KG9 machine pistol and a magazine with 19 bullets.

Estomo said that last Friday, his men also arrested suspected drug personalities Angelica Aydalla, Arnel Serrano, Jonathan Lucero, Ramon Calacday and Jaycel Maek Lovina during an anti-narcotics operation in Purok 1 in Bgy. Tinago in Ligao City in Albay.

Recovered from the suspects were 23 heat-sealed plastic sachets containing shabu and a .38 caliber revolver with five live ammunition.

Another suspect identified as Eddie Abla was arrested in Zone 2, Bgy. Tongo Bantique in Siruma, Camarines Sur while in possession of a .38 caliber revolver with six bullets, an improvised 12-gauge shotgun and eight shotgun ammunition.

On the other hand, businessman Noel Petil, 53, was arrested in his residence in East Matacon in Bgy. Matacon in Polangui, Albay for illegal possession of one .22 caliber revolver with six bullets, a .22 caliber rifle with a scope and assorted gun accessories.

Another suspect identified as Edwin Dador, a 56-year-old farmer wanted for murder with no bail recommended was arrested during an operation in Bgy. Mahayod-Hayod in Lopez, Quezon at around 10:30 p.m Tuesday.

Estomo said his men also arrested Ely Callao, a security guard at the Philippine Ports Authority in Aroroy, Masbate after he fired his gun indiscriminately while off-duty. The suspect yielded an unlicensed .38 caliber revolver with seven bullets.

Last Saturday, PRO5 agents also arrested Arturo Sales Jr. in his residence in Bgy. Maysuram in Caramoran, Catanduanes for illegal possession of a hand grenade and a .38 revolver with three bullets.

On the same day, Estomo said his operatives tracked down and arrested Virgilio Reyes, the 4th most wanted man in Goa, Camarines Sur where he is facing a non-bailable case for statutory rape.

Estomo said his men also arrested Bryan Secretario, a resident of Bgy. La Purisima Nuevo in Ocampo, Camarines Sur on the strength of a warrant of arrest for rape last Saturday.