Cagayan de Oro: Police forces in Northern Mindanao are grappling with the tragic loss of three officers in a vehicular accident while simultaneously reporting significant drug seizures totaling PHP1 million in separate operations across the region on Thursday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Lanao del Norte Provincial Police Office is in mourning following the deaths of three of their personnel killed in a road accident. Initial reports indicate that the officers were en route to Barangay Pigcaran when their motorcycle collided with a tractor. Despite being rushed to a hospital, all three were later declared dead.

Amidst this loss, law enforcement efforts against illegal drugs continued. The Cagayan de Oro City Police Office reported a successful buy-bust operation in Barangay Lapasan on Thursday, resulting in the seizure of illegal drugs valued at PHP680,000 and the arrest of a high-value suspect. Major Aldren Baculio, head of the City Drugs Enforcement Unit, said the operation was conducted in collaboration with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 10 (Northern Mindanao).

Further south, the Bukidnon Provincial Police Office reported the arrest of two drug suspects in Valencia City, leading to the confiscation of illegal drugs with an estimated street value of PHP342,720.

In related news, PDEA-10 Director and lawyer Benjamin Gaspi announced a joint operation with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) dubbed “Oplan Harabas.” “The primary objective of ‘Oplan Harabas’ is to prevent road accidents that could be caused by public transport drivers operating under the influence of illegal drugs,” Director Gaspi explained in a radio interview Thursday.