By Benjamin Cuaresma
ILOILO CITY — Police operations across Western Visayas yielded more than P5.4 million worth of suspected shabu, along with firearms, explosives-related items, illegal fishing equipment and smuggled goods, as authorities intensified their campaign against various criminal activities in the region.
The Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO-6) said Monday that its intensified operations from 6 a.m. Sunday to 5:59 a.m. Monday resulted in the recovery of 800.03 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P5.44 million.
The biggest drug haul came shortly after 1 a.m. Monday in La Paz District, Iloilo City, where police arrested two suspects and seized 710 grams of suspected shabu valued at about PHP4.828 million.
Another major operation was conducted in Oton, Iloilo, where police arrested a high-value drug suspect in a buy-bust operation and recovered approximately 55 grams of suspected shabu worth PHP374,000.
Beyond the drug campaign, PRO-6 reported 12 arrests in operations targeting illegal fishing, with authorities confiscating fishing paraphernalia valued at PHP423,170.
Police also stepped up their campaign against loose firearms and explosives. Twelve firearms were voluntarily surrendered, while five explosive-related items were recovered during the operations.
Separate operations conducted from 6 a.m. August 29 to 5:59 a.m. August 30 resulted in the confiscation of illegal fishing equipment worth PHP1.2 million and suspected smuggled goods valued at PHP935,000.
In the continuing drive against unregistered or loose firearms, police confiscated one firearm while 62 others were voluntarily surrendered. Another 11 firearms were either recovered or turned over during 72 separate operations.
PRO-6 Director Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño credited the results to the sustained deployment and field work of police personnel across Western Visayas.
The latest seizures underscore the breadth of the regional police campaign, which is simultaneously targeting illegal drugs, unlawful fishing activities, loose firearms, explosives and smuggling operations.
ia/xf
