Police Regional Office Bicol (PRO5) regional headquarters (PNA file photo)
LEGAZPI CITY – The Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO5) has seized some PHP90.3 million worth of illegal drugs and arrested 1,076 drug personalities from 989 drug operations in the six provinces in the region in 2023, a police official said Friday.
"Out of the 1,076 individuals charged with drug-related offenses, 1,786 cases have already been filed in court. Some drug offenders face two or three cases, that's why the cases filed were higher than the arrested suspects," PRO5 spokesperson Lt. Col. Malu Calubaquib said in an interview.
Calubaquib said the seized illegal drugs include 630.0997 grams of marijuana, 13,176.7867 grams of shabu, and 129.41 grams of cocaine.
"The combined street value of these seized illegal drugs amounts to a staggering PHP90,363,650.56," she said.
PRO5 also confiscated and recovered 1,815 assorted firearms from 246 individuals during 1,615 operations against unregistered firearms.
Meanwhile, the regional police force conducted 882 operations against illegal gambling last year, resulting in the apprehension of 2,406 violators and the confiscation of PHP1.12 million in bet money.
“Appropriate complaints were filed, initiating legal action against the arrested offenders," Calubaquib said.
She said ongoing efforts to combat illegal fishing led to the apprehension of 968 individuals and the seizure of PHP15.6 million in cash, along with fish and related paraphernalia.
Some 264 anti-illegal logging operations led to the arrest of 338 individuals and the confiscation of PHP1.4 million worth of lumber and flitches, she added.
In combating criminal gangs, PRO5 operations led to 19 arrests, one fatality and 19 voluntary surrenders.
Arrested wanted criminals with pending arrest warrants at the regional level were pegged at 131; provincial level - 96; city level - 104; municipal level - 575; and an additional 4,224 apprehensions of other wanted persons.
Calubaquib said the conduct of internal security operations resulted in the apprehension of 115 rebels and the death of five others, along with the seizure of 75 firearms of various calibers and 101 explosives.
"Also, 125 individuals voluntarily surrendered to authorities due to the implementation of the Retooled Community Support Program (RPSB). The program played a crucial role in encouraging New People’s Army (NPA) members to lay down their arms and bring their allegiance back to the government," she said.
Calubaquib said PRO5, led by acting regional director Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon, is committed to sustaining the momentum in its police operations to ensure peace and order in the Bicol region for 2024.
"Embracing a three-fold strategy known as the APD (Approachable, Presentable, and Dependable) Kasurog cops, the unit demonstrated an increased commitment to providing Serbisyong Nagkakaisa (Unity in Service) for the people of Bicol," she said. (PNA)
