Superintendent Gene Ines Abrajano, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Northern Field Office (CIDG-NFO) chief, said the suspects were all apprehended in Barangay Tonsuya by virtue of warrants of arrest issued by the Malabon City regional trial court.
The CIDG-NFO arrested the suspects in cooperation with the local police, headed by Superintendent Peter Ramos, and the Civilian Volunteers Against Crime (CVAC).
The crackdown started at about 10 p.m. when a team composed of Abrajano, Chief Inspector Efren Dalumpines, SPO4 Ric Ravena, SPO4 Lanie Batiansila, SPO2 Marlon Montezon and PO2 Rex Casinos, swooped down on Barangay Tonsuya, particularly Paradise Village, a known haven of criminal elements.
The operation, dubbed "Oplan Pagtugis," resulted in the apprehension of Jun Meca, 40; Lilia Atendido, 41; Fe Macaranas, 39; Eduardo Alvarez, 42; Nestor Perez, 48; and Manuel Tiongson, 29.
"The suspects’ arrest came in close coordination of the police with the community, particularly the civilian anti-crime group CVAC," Dalumpines said. Dalumpines added this only showed the effectiveness of the public’s cooperation in fighting criminality.
"Without the residents’ participation, the police could not have traced the suspects since it’s the residents who know the people in their locality," Dalumpines said.
CIDG-NFO agents and CVAC volunteers were also able to apprehend the other day five alleged drug pushers and users, also in Barangay Tonsuya where 18 sachets of shabu and shabu paraphernalia were seized from the suspects.
Rogelio Pacolda, 35, Ricky Mariano, 40, Ricky Tanande, 19, Anita Ruiz, 41, and Conrado Sabio, 50, were charged by the office of city prosecutor Marcus Diasen. Bail of P300,000 was recommended for their temporary liberty.