More than 300 people were arrested across Central Visayas during a weeklong police crackdown targeting illegal drugs, wanted persons and loose firearms.
The Police Regional Office 7 said the operations were conducted as part of intensified efforts to improve public safety and enforce national laws and local ordinances throughout the region.
198 arrested in anti-drug operations
Police arrested 198 people in operations targeting illegal drugs during the weeklong campaign.
Authorities seized 369.73 grams of suspected shabu, with an estimated standard drug price of around P2.51 million.
The arrests and seizures form part of PRO-7’s continuing campaign against the illegal drug trade in Central Visayas.
Police units have been instructed to maintain pressure on suspected drug personalities while strengthening operations in communities where illegal drug activity has been reported.
99 wanted persons arrested
Another 99 people were arrested for various offenses after police operations targeted individuals with outstanding warrants.
Of those arrested, 24 were classified as Most Wanted Persons, while the remaining 75 had pending arrest warrants issued by courts.
The arrests were carried out by different police units across Central Visayas as part of the region’s wider campaign to locate fugitives and other wanted individuals.
Police seize firearms and ammunition
The crackdown also focused on unregistered and illegally held firearms.
Police arrested 23 people in operations against loose firearms and recovered 65 firearms, one grenade and 77 rounds of ammunition of various calibers.
Authorities also continued the implementation of Oplan Katok, a campaign in which police officers visit firearm owners and encourage them to surrender unregistered firearms or weapons with expired licenses.
Through Oplan Katok, police recovered 16 additional firearms during the weeklong operations.
The campaign is intended to reduce the number of firearms circulating outside the country’s legal registration and licensing system.
PRO-7 orders intensified police operations
The operations followed instructions from Central Visayas police chief Brig. Gen. Arnold Abad, who directed unit commanders to intensify law enforcement operations across the region.
Abad also ordered police units to strictly enforce city and municipal ordinances, with the aim of addressing public safety concerns at the community level.
He said police visibility and responsiveness must be sustained while officers work closely with local governments and residents.
The police chief also urged the public to report suspicious individuals or activities to the nearest police station so authorities can respond quickly.
Crackdown targets broader public safety concerns
The weeklong campaign shows how PRO-7 is combining several law enforcement priorities rather than focusing solely on illegal drugs.
By targeting wanted persons, loose firearms and prohibited drugs at the same time, authorities are seeking to address different threats that can contribute to crime and public safety problems.
PRO-7 said the operations form part of the Philippine National Police’s continuing implementation of its “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman” vision.
Police are expected to continue similar operations across Central Visayas as authorities seek to maintain pressure on illegal drug activities, fugitives and unlicensed firearms.
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