By Benjamin Cuaresma
BACOLOD CITY — Police operations across the Negros Island Region resulted in the recovery of PHP228.216 million worth of illegal drugs and smuggled cigarettes from May 8 to Sept. 6, according to data released Monday.
Drug enforcement units accounted for the bulk of the seizures, confiscating 21,552 grams of shabu and 1,442.50 grams of marijuana with a combined standard drug price of PHP146.73 million.
The recoveries were made during 792 anti-illegal drug operations, which also resulted in the arrest of 1,039 individuals identified as drug personalities.
Authorities likewise intensified efforts against cigarette smuggling, conducting 590 operations that led to 33 arrests and the confiscation of smuggled cigarettes valued at PHP81.485 million.
The four-month enforcement record coincided with the final months of Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño’s tenure as regional director of the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR). Cardiño completed his tour of duty over the weekend.
He was succeeded on Monday by Brig. Gen. Rudecindo Reales, who takes over the regional police command covering Negros and Siquijor.
Under Reales, PRO-NIR said it will pursue a people-centered approach to policing, with emphasis on maintaining peace and order, protecting communities and responding to residents’ needs.
The leadership transition comes as the regional police office reports more than PHP228 million in combined drug and cigarette-smuggling seizures during the period covered by the latest enforcement data.
ia/xf
