• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Some P268 million in suspected shabu and marijuana was seized by police operatives in Western Visayas since Feb. 15 this year.
The Police Regional Office 6 said Aug. 26 that under the six month-stint of Brigadier General Jack Wanky as PNP regional director, various units confiscated 39,136 grams of suspected shabu, valued at P266 million, and around 20,805 grams of marijuana, worth P2.5 million.
Some 1,648 illegal drug suspects were also arrested in 1,278 police operations conducted regionwide, from Feb. 15 to August 14 this year.
The Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 6 accounted for the biggest drug haul, worth P107,444,697; Iloilo City Police Office, P52,174,919; Iloilo Provincial Police Office (PPO), P49,035,232; Bacolod City Police Office, P24,059,589; Negros Occidental PPO, P21,420,732; Capiz PPO, P7,099,863; Antique PPO, P4,481,787; Aklan PPO, P1,982,077; and the Guimaras PPO, P924,328.
Wanky commended all unit commanders and personnel across the region for their commitment and hard work that led to these accomplishments.
“The statistics show your conviction, patience, and eagerness to cleanse the community from the menace of illegal drugs,” he said in a statement, adding that despite these accomplishments, “we will not cease.”
“We will engage the community more, the local government units, and other stakeholders to intensify and strengthen our campaign,” Wanky said as he urged the public to take part in efforts to put an end to the illegal drug menace by reporting those who are involved and being a guardian of family and of the community.
In Bacolod, five police operations Aug. 24 resulted in the confiscation of 45.8 grams of suspected shabu, valued at P277,440, and the arrest of five drug personalities, the BCPO said.
P/Col. Joeresty Coronica, the BCPO officer-in-charge, also stressed the importance of community cooperation, especially in the campaign against illegal drugs, loose firearms, robbery, theft, and other illegal activities.
He said he hopes that his leadership will motivate his personnel to do more to make Bacolod City safe to live and do business with. | CGC
