SEIZED. The confiscated pieces of evidence from three members of a criminal group arrested in Subic, Zambales on Wednesday night (Nov. 22, 2023). These include some PHP2 million worth of shabu and a .38 caliber revolver with six live ammunitions. (Photo courtesy of PRO-3)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Authorities arrested the alleged leader and two members of a notorious criminal group in an anti-drug operation that resulted in the seizure of some PHP2 million worth of shabu in Subic, Zambales on Wednesday night.
In a report on Thursday, Police Regional Office-Central Luzon (PRO-3) director Brig. General Jose Hidalgo Jr. identified the arrested suspect as Roger Janawi, the leader of the Janawi Criminal Group and two unidentified group members who were arrested in Barangay Calapacuan, Subic at around 8.55 p.m.
Seized from the suspects were 296 grams of shabu worth PHP2.01 million, and a .38 caliber revolver with six live ammunitions.
Hidalgo said the operation was launched by joint elements of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Zambales, Provincial Intelligence Unit-Zambales, Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit-Zambales and other police units.
Meanwhile, the PRO-3 also reported that a total of 161 villages in the entire Central Luzon are already drug free.
On the other hand, 2,568 of the 3,105 villages in the region have been declared drug-cleared.
Of the region’s seven provinces, Aurora, Bataan and Tarlac have attained 100 percent drug-cleared barangays.
Hidalgo expressed optimism that more barangays and even provinces would be declared drug-cleared in the coming months due to the intensified anti-illegal drugs campaign of the Philippine National Police, in coordination with the PDEA.
“This collaborative effort among law enforcement agencies shows our commitment to putting a stop to illegal drug activities and breaking apart criminal groups in the area,” he said.
Hidalgo also urged the public to support and cooperate with authorities its aim to rid the region of the drug menace.
“We encourage the public to stay alert and work with us by reporting any suspicious activities. Your cooperation is essential in keeping our community safe and orderly. Hindi lamang po sa amin ang laban na ito kundi laban nating lahat upang makamit natin ang isang drug-free region (This is not just our fight but our fight to achieve a drug-free region),” he added. (PNA)
