PRO-7 nabs 471, nets P10.6 million worth shabu

CEBU, Philippines — At least 471 individuals were arrested and about P10.6 million worth of suspected shabu was confiscated in a week-long intensified anti-criminality campaign conducted by the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) from May 10 to 16.

According to PRO-7, the operations covered illegal drugs, wanted persons, loose firearms, and illegal gambling, resulting in multiple arrests and seizures throughout the region.

In the campaign against illegal drugs, authorities arrested 214 individuals and seized approximately 1,565.91 grams of suspected shabu with a standard drug price of P10,648,188. The arrests and seizures resulted from a series of drug enforcement operations across Central Visayas.

In operations against wanted persons, police arrested 109 individuals, including 20 classified as “most wanted” persons and 89 other wanted persons. Police explained that most wanted persons are those with priority warrants involving serious or high-impact crimes, while other wanted persons refer to individuals with existing warrants but not included in the priority list.

In the drive against loose firearms, 26 individuals were arrested, while authorities confiscated and recovered 53 firearms, one explosive device, and 100 rounds of ammunition. Four additional firearms were voluntarily surrendered through Oplan Katok, a police initiative that encourages firearm holders with expired licenses or unregistered firearms to surrender or renew permits through police visits and community engagement.

Meanwhile, 122 individuals were arrested in anti-illegal gambling operations, with P20,442 in gambling money seized. Illegal number games recorded the highest number of arrests, with 47 individuals apprehended.

Acting PRO-7 Director PBGen Arnold Abad commended the operating units for their sustained law enforcement efforts and emphasized the importance of continued operations to strengthen public safety.

He also directed all police units in Central Visayas to intensify operations in line with the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s Safer Cities initiative, which aims to improve crime prevention and community security nationwide. — /MRM (FREEMAN)