P50 million drugs in 12 days

ILLEGAL drugs worth up to P50.1 million were seized by the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas (PRO 7) during a 12-day anti-criminality and law enforcement operation from April 30 to May 12, 2025.

Police in Central Visayas launched an intensified Sacleo (Simultaneous Anti-Criminality and Law Enforcement Operations) to ensure that the National and Local Elections this year would be peaceful and orderly.

According to data from PRO 7, police across the region confiscated 8,848.19 grams of shabu with a standard drug price of P50,167,692, and seven grams of marijuana.

The police conducted 204 anti-illegal drug operations, which led to the arrest of 251 suspects.

In addition to illegal drugs, PRO 7 also arrested 160 wanted persons, including 23 individuals identified as the most wanted in the region.

They also did not relent in their campaign against loose firearms, seizing 75 unlicensed firearms of various calibers, one grenade, and 208 rounds of ammunition.

They intensified checkpoint operations, patrol deployments, and intelligence-based interventions, which helped prevent possible election related incidents and other threats.

Because of this, the police were successful in maintaining peace and order throughout the election period.

No major election-related incidents were recorded in Central Visayas, thanks to the effective implementation of the security plan and the inter-agency cooperation among law enforcement agencies.

Police Brigadier General Redrico Maranan, head of PRO 7, commended his personnel for their relentless anti-crime efforts to ensure peace in the entire region.

“I commend the unwavering commitment and professionalism of our men and women in uniform who worked around the clock to protect our communities and secure the electoral process. These accomplishments are a clear reflection of our operational readiness and deep sense of duty to serve with integrity and excellence,” said Maranan.

Maranan also assured that their anti-criminality operations will continue even after the election period.

“As we transition into the post-election phase, PRO 7 will continue its intensified law enforcement efforts to prevent the resurgence of criminality and ensure a safe environment for all. Together with our partners and the community, we remain steadfast in our mission to uphold peace, order, and the rule of law throughout Central Visayas,” he added. (AYB)