The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) intensified its campaign against criminality and other law violations across Eastern Visayas in August, arresting 1,145 violators and confiscating contraband and other illegal items valued at P18.96 million in 1,012 law enforcement operations.
The PRO-8 sustained its focused and intelligence-driven operations against illegal drugs, insurgency, wanted persons, smuggling, illegal fishing, illegal logging, loose firearms and explosives, and illegal gambling.
The campaign against illegal drugs remained among PRO-8’s top priorities. A total of 105 anti-drug operations were conducted, resulting in the arrest of 126 drug personalities and the seizure of 1,145.80 grams of shabu with an estimated street value of P7.79 million.
PRO-8 also continued its anti-insurgency efforts, resulting in the surrender of 19 New People’s Army members and the arrest of two others. The operations also led to the recovery of nine firearms and two explosives, contributing to government efforts to weaken the armed group’s presence and activities in the region.
Meanwhile, intensified manhunt operations led to the arrest of 445 wanted persons, including 74 most wanted persons, as PRO-8 continued its efforts to locate and apprehend individuals with standing warrants of arrest.
Anti-smuggling operations likewise yielded significant results. Four operations targeting cigarette smuggling resulted in the confiscation of five packs and 14 reams of smuggled cigarettes valued at P10,450.00. In separate anti-petroleum smuggling operations, authorities arrested five individuals and seized 108 containers holding 140 liters of petroleum products worth P174,680.00.
In support of environmental protection and the enforcement of fisheries laws, PRO-8 conducted anti-illegal fishing operations that resulted in the apprehension of 292 violators. Authorities also confiscated fishing paraphernalia valued at P10.15 million along with fish catch worth P130,735.00.
Anti-illegal logging operations, meanwhile, led to the arrest of 21 individuals and the seizure of 11,495.10 board feet of illegally sourced lumber with an estimated value of P682,266.00.
PRO-8 also intensified its campaign against loose firearms and explosives through 203 operations, resulting in the confiscation, surrender, and recovery of 191 firearms and two explosives.
The police regional office likewise sustained its crackdown on illegal gambling. A total of 71 operations were conducted, leading to the arrest of 180 individuals and the confiscation of P27,771 in bet money.
B/Gen. Jason Capoy, police regional director, commended the operating units for their dedication and commitment to PRO-8’s intensified law enforcement campaign.
‘These accomplishments reflect the hard work, professionalism, and teamwork of our personnel in fulfilling our duty to protect the people of Eastern Visayas. We will continue to strengthen our law enforcement operations through focused and intelligence-driven efforts to ensure that those who violate the law are held accountable. Together, we will continue to maintain peace, order, and public safety throughout the region,’ he said in a statement.