Nearly 8K accosted in Soccsksargen for violation of laws, ordinances

GENERAL SANTOS CITY--Around 8,000 violators of national laws and local ordinances were apprehended in parts of Region 12 or Soccsksargen in the last three weeks in line with the implementation of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-12’s operation plan, or Oplan Mapayapang Sambayanan.

Supt. Aldrin Gonzales, PRO-12 public information officer, said Thursday the figure was based on the actual apprehension of violators made by joint police, social welfare traffic and land transportation personnel.

Dubbed Oplan Mapayapa, Gonzales said the initiative is now being implemented in the entire region after its launching here late last month.

Citing records from implementing units, a total of 7,996 violators were apprehended in just 21 days, he said.

Gonzales said a significant number were for violation of Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, with 3,509 citation tickets issued to erring motorists.

He said at least 1,844 vehicles impounded, comprising 1,337 single motorcycles, 216 motorcycles with side cars, 266 motorcycles with open pipes and 25 four-wheeled vehicles.

Some 2,643 violations of local ordinances were recorded, with smoking in public areas posting the most number with 762, followed by loitering half-naked in public places with 555, drinking of alcoholic drinks in public places  with 381 and regular curfew hours  with 266, he said.

In coordination with social welfare personnel, Gonzales said a total of 478 minors who violated the curfew hours were rounded up and sent home.

The other recorded violations were alarm and scandal, child-at-risk or minors driving without license and prohibited operations of Internet cafés and computer gaming shops, he said.

Gonzales said at least 25 wanted persons were also arrested as part of the implementation of Oplan Mapayapa during the period.

Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales, Region 12 police director, expressed satisfaction over the results of the implementation of the joint operation plan.  

“We are very happy about the outstanding results of our operations as it lessened the number of incidents involving our minors,” Morales said.

The official said the ongoing intensified implementation of Oplan Mapayapa region-wide has gained the support of local communities.

Morales added that local police units have been ordered to expand the implementation of the initiative. (PNA)