MONTHLONG ANTI-CRIME DRIVE NETS OVER P800-M ILLEGAL DRUGS, MORE THAN 700 WANTED MEN IN CENTRAL LUZON

BY KEVIN GALANG

CAMP OLIVAS, City of San Fernando, Pampanga — A monthlong crackdown  by the Police Regional Office 3 has resulted in the confiscation of P836.4-million worth of illegal drugs, arrest of hundreds of wanted persons, and recovering unlicensed firearms in Central Luzon.

The anti-crime drives were conducted from August 1 to 31.

According to Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) director Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio I. Peñones Jr. , the significant accomplishments reflect the Central Luzon police’ unrelenting campaign to ensure safer communities.

Peñones said the crackdown was in line with the 7-Point Agenda of acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., particularly through Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO).

In the campaign against illegal drugs, PRO3 conducted 659 operations that led to the arrest of 1,006 suspects, including 34 “high-value individuals.” 

A total of 122,631.645 grams of shabu, 11,370.711 grams of marijuana, and other illicit substances, with an estimated street value of P836,406,721.22 were confiscated.

PRO3 also intensified its manhunt operations, arresting 745 wanted persons during the same period.

The arrests included 13 of the region’s most wanted persons, 43 of provincials’ most wanted, and 59 wanted in the municipal level.

Parallel operations against loose firearms further strengthened community safety by recovering several unlicensed guns, effectively reducing the risk of criminal activities in the region.

“We continue to be relentless in our mission to rid our communities of illegal drugs and criminals. These results are products of intensified intelligence-driven operations and sustained coordination with our partner agencies like the PDEA,” Peñones said.

The Central Luzon top cop stressed that PRO3 remains steadfast under the leadership of PNP chief Nartatez Jr..

“The PNP-PRO3 is fully committed to making our streets safer and ensuring our people feel more secure,” Peñones added.