POLICE VISIBILITY. Police Regional Office (PRO) 5 Bicol) Director Brig. Gen. Andre P. Dizon leads the regular motorcycle patrol in Legazpi City to maximize police visibility during rush hours on May 29, 2024. The PRO-5 reported the arrest of 122 drug offenders and the seizure of more than PHP8.1 million worth of illegal drugs in various police operations in the region in May. (Photo from Brig. Gen. Dizon's Facebook page)
LEGAZPI CITY – The Police Regional Office (PRO) 5 (Bicol) reported on Wednesday the arrest of 122 drug offenders and seizure of more than PHP8.1 million worth of illegal drugs in various operations in the region in May.
PRO-5 Director Brig. Gen. Andre P. Dizon said the seized items included 78.44 grams of marijuana and 1,197.50 grams of suspected shabu.
He said the 122 drug suspects were classified as street-level individuals and were arrested in 177 anti-drug operations. A total of 209 cases have been filed in court.
PRO-5 also conducted 182 operations against the proliferation of loose firearms that resulted in the arrest of 20 violators, confiscation of 114 assorted firearms, and filing of eight cases in court.
Against illegal gambling, PRO-5 conducted 37 operations that resulted in the arrest of 95 individuals and the confiscation of PHP141,535 in bet money.
Dizon said 25 cases have been filed in court against the arrested individuals.
He also said that to address illegal fishing activities, 31 operations were conducted, resulting in the arrest of 66 individuals and the seizure of PHP2.9 million worth of fishing paraphernalia.
In the campaign against illegal logging, 25 individuals were apprehended in 20 operations, where PHP333,931 worth of lumber and flitches were seized.
In the fight against criminal gangs, three individuals were taken into police custody and two others surrendered.
PRO-5 also apprehended 407 wanted persons – one at the national level, 12 at the regional level, seven at the provincial level, nine at the city level, 61 at the municipal and station level, and 317 other wanted individuals.
Meanwhile, efforts to address insurgency resulted in the arrest of eight individuals. A total 10 voluntarily surrendered, and three others died. They also led to the recovery of 28 assorted firearms and various explosives.
Dizon said the achievements of PRO-5 are a testament to its determination to maintain peace and order in the region.
"The unit continuously undertakes collaborative efforts and coordinates with various agencies to build stronger connections for preventing and addressing criminal activities in the region. PRO-5 remains dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of the community," he added. (PNA)
