POLICE BRIEFING. Senior Superintendent Lyndon Mencio (left) head of Benguet Provincial Police Office (BPPO), reports the accomplishments of the provincial police on Wednesday (Aug.15, 2018) during a regular press conference at the provincial police headquarters in Camp Bado, Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet. Also in photo is Supt. Luisito Meris (right), Deputy for Administration of BPPO. (Photo by Primo Agatep)
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- A total of 24 individuals, including four minors, were arrested and more than PHP2 million worth of marijuana and “shabu” were confiscated in the anti-illegal drugs campaign of the Benguet police from January to August 15 this year.
Benguet Provincial Police Office director Senior Supt. Lyndon Mencio said 14 of those arrested were a result of buy-bust operations conducted mostly in the municipalities of Itogon, Tuba, Mankayan, Tublay, and this capital town.
“Our campaign against illegal drugs will be relentless,” Mencio said during Wednesday’s press conference at the Benguet police headquarters in Camp Dangwa.
The press briefing was also attended by the police commanders of the 13 municipalities of the province.
The provincial police command has listed a total of 2,692 drug surrenderers since the anti-illegal drugs campaign was launched by President Rodrigo Duterte.
From the number, 1,471 have a undergone community-based rehabilitation and wellness program, in cooperation with the municipal governments.
Through the Police Community Relations (PCR) unit, the “Sinag sa Pagbabago” drug rehabilitation program was initiated.
This police initiated a drug rehabilitation program, covering drug test and detoxification process, financial literacy, sports activities, and community outreach services, among others.
In another development, the command also reported a drop in index crime during the first seven months of the year to 168, down from 272 cases last year. These crimes involve robbery, theft, rape, homicide, and murder.
In the first six months, an increase was also noted in the command’s crime solution efficiency to 54.76 percent from 52.94 percent in the same period last year.
Mencio attributed the decrease in crimes and the higher solution efficiency to sustained police visibility and the community’s involvement in crime prevention.
Meanwhile, the province has also recorded a decrease in vehicular traffic accidents for the period January-July.
This capital town had the most number of vehicular accidents resulting in damage to property --346 cases.
It had 120 vehicular traffic accidents involving physical injuries.
The town of Tuba recorded a total of 102 cases of vehicular traffic accidents resulting in damage to property and 67 incidents that led to physical injuries. (PNA)
