CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – A total of 422 individuals who committed various offenses were arrested and illegal drugs with an estimated street value of PHP3.4 million were confiscated in weeklong anti-crime operations in Central Luzon.
Police Regional Office (PRO) 3 (Central Luzon) chief Brig. Gen. Jose Hidalgo Jr. said Tuesday the anti-criminality operations from Feb. 19 to 25 were part of their continuing efforts to rid the region of all forms of criminality.
Of the arrested individuals, 122 have standing warrants of arrest, 159 were nabbed over illegal drugs, 135 for illegal gambling, and six for violation of other special laws.
Of the 122 suspects with warrants of arrest, 17 were wanted for crimes ranging from murder and frustrated murder to rape.
Operatives also seized PHP3.4 million worth of illegal drugs, PHP101,499 worth of bet money, and three loose firearms.
Hidalgo attributed the accomplishments to the timely coordination, intelligence-driven operations of different police units, and strong support of local officials, as well as those in the private sector in the region.
“The PRO-3 remains steadfast in mobilizing its resources along with its continuous efforts to address lawlessness in the region," he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, two suspected drug peddlers were arrested and nearly PHP400,000 worth of suspected shabu was seized in Angeles City, this province on Monday.
Hidalgo said the anti-illegal drug operation conducted in Barangay Pandan, Angeles City resulted in the arrest of Noraida Pacasum and Marvin Guevarra.
He said seized from the two suspects were 11 plastic sachets containing suspected shabu, weighing about 55 grams, with a Dangerous Drugs Board value of PHP374,000, and PHP1,000 in marked money.
“All police units are working together to eradicate all forms of lawlessness, especially on illegal drugs as we continue to have no let-up in stopping its proliferation within the region,” he added. (PNA)
