Manila: Police arrested 36 suspects and confiscated PHP103 million worth of narcotics and smuggled cigarettes in three-day operations, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Friday.
According to Philippines News Agency, these operations were held from Tuesday to Thursday, leading to the arrest of one national-level and 26 regional-level Most Wanted Persons (MWPs) facing serious criminal charges such as rape, including multiple and qualified rape, statutory rape, murder, homicide, kidnapping for ransom, syndicated estafa, qualified theft involving dozens of counts, and drug cases.
The arrests occurred in Pampanga, Rizal, Laguna, Quezon, Isabela, Cavite, Batangas, Cebu, Bohol, Davao City, Negros Oriental, Romblon, Surigao del Norte, Mountain Province, Agusan del Norte, Camarines Sur, and Pasig City. Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. emphasized that these results demonstrate the effectiveness of sustained, intelligence-driven police operations, asserting the futility of hiding from the law.
During the same period, the PNP intensified its campaign against illegal drugs, resulting in the arrest of 10 drug personalities, including seven high-value individuals (HVIs). This led to the confiscation of illegal drugs valued at PHP91.6 million. The operations included the seizure of over 1.3 kilograms of suspected shabu during buy-bust operations and search warrants in Iloilo City, Camarines Sur, Negros Occidental, and Cagayan. Large-scale marijuana operations in Benguet, Ilocos Sur, and Kalinga resulted in the eradication of more than 251,000 marijuana plants and seedlings and the recovery of 217 kilograms of marijuana bricks, significantly impacting the illegal drug supply.
These efforts were conducted in close coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). Additionally, the PNP strengthened its campaign against smuggling, resulting in the arrest of five individuals and the confiscation of 187 boxes of smuggled cigarettes valued at PHP12.54 million. Operations in Negros Occidental, Cebu, and Pangasinan led to the seizure of large volumes of smuggled cigarettes, including cases involving foreign nationals. Confiscated items are set to be turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition.
