Iloilo city: Police in Western Visayas seized more than PHP165.5 million worth of illegal drugs in 415 operations over the past three months, the regional police office said Monday. The Police Regional Office - Western Visayas seized 24.23 kg of illegal drugs from May 22 to August 22, according to its accomplishment report.

According to Philippines News Agency, the operations also led to the arrest of 508 suspected drug personalities, including 175 classified as high-value individuals. Regional Police Director Randulf Tua±o stated that the seizures represented drugs that were prevented from reaching communities in the region. He emphasized, "More than the figures, we are looking at how we have averted the spread of illegal drugs in the community," during a news conference on Monday. "Along with this, our eight focus crimes also decreased."

The eight focus crimes fell 22.84 percent from 499 incidents during the same period last year to 385 this year. Rape cases posted the biggest decline, falling 55.56 percent from 126 to 56. Murder cases dropped 21.21 percent, from 33 to 26, while robbery cases declined 18 percent, from 50 to 41. Tua±o highlighted that the figures should encourage police to strengthen their efforts rather than become complacent.