By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Philippine National Police has seized around PHP119 million worth of illegal drugs and smuggled cigarettes and arrested 27 most wanted persons from Feb. 14 to 16.
In a report on Tuesday, the PNP said police units arrested 26 Filipino fugitives and one foreign national for serious offenses such as rape, murder, frustrated murder, statutory rape, qualified rape of a minor, cybercrime violations and illegal drugs-related offenses.
Its units across multiple regions also successfully dismantled drug supply lines with the recovery of illegal drugs worth over PHP94 million, and intercepted smuggled cigarettes valued at more than PHP25 million during the period.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. stressed that the PNP is “sustaining aggressive and disciplined enforcement operations.”
“Sa loob lamang ng tatlong araw, sabay-sabay nating naipakita ang lakas ng ating kampanya laban sa mga wanted persons, illegal drugs, at smuggling. Ito ay malinaw na patunay na mas pinaigting natin ang pamamahala ng police operations sa buong bansa (In just three days, we have simultaneously demonstrated the strength of our campaign against wanted persons, illegal drugs and smuggling. This is clear proof that we have intensified police operations nationwide),” Nartatez said in a statement.
In Benguet and Mountain Province, PNP units uprooted and burned on-site more than 74,000 pieces of fully grown marijuana plants, along with hundreds of kilos of dried marijuana stalks and leaves, with a combined estimated value of PHP49.7 million.
One notable recovery was recorded in Sadanga, Mountain Province, where operatives discovered two abandoned sacks containing marijuana bricks and packaged marijuana with a total weight of 20 kilos valued at PHP2.4 million.
The PNP also scored major gains against shabu trafficking. One of the biggest hauls took place at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, where operatives arrested a South African national in possession of six kilos of suspected shabu valued at PHP40.8 million.
In Iloilo, separate buy-bust operations resulted in the arrest of four individuals, including three high value individuals, and the recovery of more than 532 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP3.6 million.
“This is not just about arrests. What matters is cutting the supply line. Every kilo of illegal drugs we seize means lives saved and communities protected,” Nartatez said.
The PNP also dealt heavy blows against smuggling networks, intercepting large volumes of smuggled cigarettes in multiple operations.
In Malabang, Lanao del Sur, checkpoint operations led to the seizure of smuggled cigarettes worth PHP4.28 million and the arrest of two suspects.
In Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, authorities arrested three suspects and confiscated 32 boxes of smuggled cigarettes valued at PHP1.83 million.
The biggest seizure was carried out in the territorial waters off Sta. Cruz Island, Zamboanga City, where operatives intercepted 280 master cases of smuggled cigarettes worth PHP16.04 million, and arrested two suspects.
Nartatez urged the public to continue supporting law enforcement operations by reporting suspicious activities, criminal movements and illegal trade in their communities. (PNA)
