PNP intensifies crackdown on drug rings

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified its operations against drug traffickers and other lawless groups to ensure the integrity of the midterm elections next year.

PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil directed police commanders to go all out against drug rings, gunrunning syndicates, partisan armed groups and criminal gangs, with 10 months to go before the elections.

Among these are the conduct of increased checkpoints, police operations based on intelligence information and community awareness programs to encourage the public to report suspicious activities.

“By removing these threats, we are not only ensuring a safer campaign period but also instilling confidence in our electoral system,” Marbil said in a statement yesterday.

Marbil urged the public to cooperate with law enforcement authorities by providing information on people who are involved in illegal activities.

The top cop said the people’s cooperation will ensure the upcoming elections are safeguarded from threats.

“Together, we can uphold the rule of law and safeguard our democracy,” he said.

Our commitment is to safeguard the democratic process and ensure that the upcoming elections are conducted in a secure environment.

The PNP is also working closely with local government units and other law enforcement agencies for the conduct of frequent operations in hotspots of illegal activities.

The PNP will also deploy additional resources and personnel to identified election areas of concern. Also included is the accounting of legitimate and loose firearms in high-risk areas.

Meanwhile, a Colombian national was arrested after he accepted a parcel which contained 1,350 milliliters of liquid cocaine valued at P8.52 million in Makati City on Tuesday.

Santiago Francisco Sopo, 32, was apprehended by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in a controlled-delivery operation in front of a condominium building in Barangay San Antonio at around 9:30 p.m., the PDEA’s Central Luzon field unit said in a report. – Ramon Efren Lazaro, Jun Elias