By Connie Calipay
LEGAZPI CITY – The Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) confiscated illegal drugs worth PHP10.9 million in March, including 1,608 grams of shabu and 28.3 grams of marijuana.
PRO-5 chief Brig. Gen. Erosito Miranda said Monday that a total of 136 operations resulted in the arrest of 152 individuals involved in illegal drug activities.
Of those apprehended, 19 were categorized as high-value individuals, while 133 were street-level individuals.
In its anti-insurgency efforts, PRO-5 conducted 90 focused operations in coordination with partner agencies and stakeholders, resulting in the arrest of 15 communist terrorist group (CTG) members and the neutralization of three individuals during armed encounters.
PRO-5 also reported the voluntary surrender of 90 CTG-affiliated individuals, highlighting the effectiveness of the government’s approach in addressing insurgency.
Security forces recovered 84 firearms and 107 explosive devices, significantly weakening the operational capability of insurgent groups in the region.
PRO-5 likewise reported the arrest of 381 wanted persons throughout March. Of the total, eight were arrested at the regional level, 27 at the provincial level, 10 at the city level and 47 at the municipal level. Another 289 were classified as other wanted persons apprehended through sustained field operations.
“Our intensified operations send a clear message that we remain steadfast and relentless in protecting our communities from threats posed by insurgent groups, illegal drugs and wanted criminals. We will continue to work closely with our partners and the public to sustain peace and security in the region,” Miranda said in an interview. (With a report from Carlo Martin Cruel, OJT/PNA)
