2023 Recap: 341 drug personalities arrested in PRO Cordillera anti-illegal drug ops
PRO Cordillera Regional Director, PBGEN DAVID K PEREDO, JR, announced that the intensified anti-illegal drugs campaign in the region has resulted in the arrest of 341 drug personalities, while a total of Php4,624,524,186.84 worth of illegal drugs were confiscated, including those uprooted and burned during marijuana eradication operations.
Based on the records from the Regional Operations Division, a total of 581 anti-illegal drug operations, including buy-bust operations, marijuana eradication, police response, implementation of search warrants, service of warrants of arrest, checkpoints, and interdiction operations, were conducted by PRO Cordillera operatives from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023.
These operations have resulted in the arrests of 341 drug personalities, with the Baguio City Police Office recording the highest number with 133, followed by the Benguet Police Provincial Office (PPO) with 75, Kalinga PPO with 53 Abra PPO with 31, Mountain Province PPO with 25, Ifugao PPO with 17, and Apayao PPO with 7 arrests.
Also, as a result of the continuous marijuana eradication operations, a total of 2,121,611 pieces of Fully-Grown Marijuana Plants (FGMP) and 2,371,211.11 grams of dried marijuana leaves, stalks, and fruiting tops were all uprooted and burned in the provinces of Benguet, Kalinga, Mountain Province, and Ifugao.
Apart from the operational accomplishments, with the continuous community engagement of PRO Cordillera cops, 12 Persons Who Used Drugs (PWUDs) were encouraged to surrender voluntarily and to undergo the Community-Based Recovery and Wellness Program (RWP). A total of 155 PWUDs completed their community-based RWP.
PCPT RANDY T HIMMIWAT is now the new Chief of Police (COP) of Hungduan Municipal Police Station (MPS) following the Turnover of Command Ceremony presided over by the Deputy Provincial Director for Administration of Ifugao Police Provincial Office, PLTCOL JOSEPH B CAYAT, held at the Mayor’s Office in Poblacion, Hungduan, Ifugao on January 10, 2024.
As the outgoing COP of Hungduan MPS, PCPT DENNIS P BINWAG turned over the command symbol, property book, and equipment inventory to the incoming COP of Hungduan MPS, PCPT HUMMIWAT.
In his acceptance message, PCPT HUMMIWAT gladly accepted the challenge of serving and leading the police force of Hungduan MPS.
Further, PLTCOL CAYAT commended the outgoing COP for his exemplary contribution in helping make Hungduan the most peaceful municipality in Ifugao. He likewise congratulated and challenged the newly installed Acting COP as he assumed his new duties and responsibilities.
Present also during the ceremony were the personnel of Hungduan MPS, Sangguniang Bayan members, the Head of Offices of the Local Government Unit (LGU), representatives from the Bureau of Fire Protection, representatives from the Barangay LGU, other partner agencies, and religious sector.
