10 DRUG PERSONALITIES ARRESTED; OVER 15M OF ILLEGAL DRUGS SEIZED IN PRO CORDILLERA’S WEEKLONG OPS
The collaborative efforts of the PRO Cordillera cops in combating illegal drugs in the region resulted in the seizure of a total of Php15,057,640.00 worth of illegal drugs and the arrest of 10 drug personalities in separate anti-illegal drug operations conducted from March 24 to 30, 2024.
According to the reports from the Regional Operations Division, the arrests were made after the suspects were found in possession of suspected shabu with a combined total of 12.30 grams and a Standard Drug Price (SDP) of Php83,640.00.
The same reports disclosed that the arrests were made by the operatives of the Benguet Police Provincial Office (PPO) with six arrests, and the Baguio City Police Office and Ifugao PPO with two arrests each.
Among the arrested suspects, seven were identified as Streel Level Individuals and three were identified as High Value Individuals, all of whom will be facing charges for violating R.A. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Meanwhile, in the separate marijuana eradication operations conducted, operatives discovered 32,170 pieces of fully grown marijuana plants; 500 pieces of marijuana seedlings; 70,000 pieces of marijuana stalks; and 1,000 grams of dried marijuana leaves & fruiting tops with an estimated SDP of Php14,974,000.00 from the 11 plantation sites found in the provinces of Benguet and Kalinga.
All the discovered marijuana plants were burned after proper documentation, while follow-up operations are underway to locate other marijuana plantation sites and cultivators.
Additionally, police officers continue to engage in barangay visitations and informational campaigns to reinforce the PNP’s anti-illegal drug efforts in the community.
OBSERVANCE OF HOLY WEEK IN CORDILLERA, RELATIVELY PEACEFUL
The Regional Director of Police Regional Office (PRO) Cordillera, PBGEN DAVID K PEREDO, JR, commended the men and women of PRO Cordillera for their exemplary performance in ensuring a safe, orderly, and peaceful observance of Holy Week and Summer Vacation regionwide as there were no major incidents reported from March 28 to 31, 2024.
With the effective security deployment plan and strategic initiatives, PBGEN PEREDO, JR said that the weeklong celebration of the Christian tradition was generally peaceful with no serious security-related incidents recorded despite the reported Vehicular Traffic Accident that occurred in Bokod, Benguet on March 30, 2024.
It can also be recalled that aside from the regular deployment of personnel, the Regional Director ordered the deployment of a total of 2,307 police officers to help secure the various churches, bus terminals, tourist destinations, major thoroughfares, and other places of convergence before the Holy Week started.
Also, troops from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection, and other volunteers served as additional forces during the Holy Week as the celebration coincided with a long weekend and in anticipation of the influx of tourists.
Moreover, the Regional Director also conducted ocular inspections of the Police Assistance Desks established around Baguio City and Benguet to ensure the welfare and readiness of police officers in the conduct of their duties and responsibilities.
PBGEN PEREDO, JR, in his statement, credited the PRO Cordillera cops and other government agencies for the peaceful observance of the Lenten Season and summer vacation in the region.
Further, the Regional Director extended his appreciation to the public for their cooperation with the heightened security measures laid down by the Cordillera police force and also lauded the efforts of the volunteers who voluntarily performed their duties to provide security and safety in Cordillera.