BUTUAN CITY – At least 274 wanted persons were arrested during a series of operations conducted by filed units of the Police Regional Office in the Caraga (PRO-13) from Jan. 23-29.
In a statement Tuesday, PRO-13 director Brig. Gen. Pablo Labra II said 473 arrest warrants were also served during the period.
“Of the wanted persons arrested, 22 were considered most wanted at the regional level, 29 at the provincial level, 26 in the city and municipal levels, while the 197 were other wanted persons,” Labra said.
Among those arrested was Tata Escalante Morales, considered as Caraga region’s second most wanted person.
Wanted for murder, Morales was collared in Mabalacat, Pampanga province on Jan. 29.
Also arrested during the period was Reynaldo Bitos, the alleged leader of the notorious Betos Group involved in carnapping in the region.
In addition, Labra reported at least 53 anti-illegal drug operations that resulted in the confiscation of illegal drugs worth some PHP1.6 million.
He said the operations also resulted in the arrest of 53 drug personalities, two of whom are listed as high-value targets. (PNA)
