By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday said intelligence-driven operations led to the arrest of 11 wanted personalities and confiscation of PHP47.7 million worth of illegal drugs the last two days.
The 11 high-priority offenders face serious charges such as murder, trafficking in persons, rape and violations of the firearms laws.
Among those arrested was a national-level most wanted individual linked to trafficking and estafa, and a regional top-ranked fugitive wanted for murder.
“We will continue pursuing those who threaten public safety, but we will always do so with respect for due process and human rights,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement over the weekend.
The PNP anti-drug units also arrested high-value individuals and seized a total of 696 grams of shabu worth PHP4.7 million.
In Ilocos Sur and Benguet, law enforcers dismantled marijuana plantations and destroyed thousands of fully grown plants and dried leaves worth PHP43 million.
Anti-smuggling drive
Meanwhile, Nartatez directed the chiefs of police nationwide to work closely with village officials amid reports that smuggled cigarettes are being sold in sari-sari (retail) stores.
“We have to make sari-sari store owners fully understand that they are becoming enablers of smuggling and illegal manufacture of the cigarettes the moment they agree to sell them to their customers, and there are legal consequences in doing that,” Nartatez said.
He said his instruction was in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to run after smugglers who are depriving the Filipino people of revenues needed for the government’s social services.
‘’This is part of our continuing strategy to eradicate the illegal tobacco supply chains and prevent its impact on public revenues,’’ Nartatez said.
He urged the public to cooperate with law enforcers and report to authorities if they know of smuggled tobacco products for sale in their areas. (PNA)
