TACLOBAN CITY– The regional Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarter reported that 4, 659 individuals who have outstanding warrants were arrested across the region from the start of the year until October 31.
These arrested individuals were part of the 4,605 operations conducted by the police in the said period, Col. Romeo Desiderio, acting chief of the regional operations division in a report.
He also reported that 185 illegal gun owners were also apprehended resulting in the confiscation of 1,965 loose firearms. Some of these firearms were also voluntarily turned over to the police by the owners.
Desiderio also disclosed that in the same period, 512 individuals engaged in the illegal drugs trade were arrested.
The police seized from these suspects shabu and marijuana with a combined commercial value of over P15.75 million.
Also, 2,116 persons were arrested for illegal fishing with the confiscated items valued at more than P114.15 million. About 402 persons were likewise apprehended on illegal logging valued at P5.57 million.
About 3,380 individuals were also arrested due to illegal gambling activities with bet money confiscated in the amount of P1.58 million.
On the campaign against insurgency, the regional PNP recorded a total of 140 rebels voluntarily surrendered to the police authorities with 45 arrested and 84 surrendered/recovered/confiscated firearms and explosives.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
