Bicol: Separate police operations across the Bicol Region on Wednesday and Thursday have led to the arrest of three suspects, the confiscation of illegal drugs, and the recovery of war material in Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, and Masbate. Two of the arrested individuals were high-value targets apprehended in a buy-bust operation in Daet, Camarines Sur, after being caught in possession of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of PHP1.08 million, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 5 (Bicol) reported.
According to Philippines News Agency, PRO-5 Director Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon stated that the operation was conducted past Wednesday midnight. The suspects, identified as alias 'Mars,' 51, of Pandi, Bulacan, and alias 'Gie,' 53, of Alabang, Muntinlupa City, were arrested by the Provincial Intelligence Unit - Provincial Police Drug Enforcement Unit (PIU-PPDEU), in coordination with the Daet municipal police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 5. The suspects were found with 31 heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu, weighing 160 grams. They were informed of the nature of their arrest and underwent a medical examination before being placed in police custody while charges of violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, were being prepared.
In a separate operation in Aroroy town in Masbate, the PRO-5, along with the Philippine Army, unearthed a cache of buried war materiel in the mountainous area of the province. The cache included various firearms, explosives, ammunition, and other items linked to insurgent activities. Brig. Gen. Dizon highlighted that the recovery was made possible through intelligence provided by two former rebels, identified as 'Ka Gerald' and 'Ka Mae,' who disclosed the location of the hidden cache. The recovered items included components of M16 rifles, improvised firearms, explosive devices, substantial ammunition, and other insurgent-related materials. These items are now under the custody of the Aroroy municipal police for proper documentation and disposition.
Additionally, the third suspect, alias 'Ricky,' 26, of Sto. Tomas Ferya, Quezon, Nueva Ecija, was arrested in Lupi town in Camarines Sur on Wednesday. 'Ricky' is the region's No. 2 most wanted person and was apprehended based on a warrant issued for murder, with no bail recommended. Following his arrest, he underwent legal documentation and processing. The PRO-5 emphasized its commitment to intensifying law enforcement efforts to maintain peace and order in the region, ensuring that wanted individuals are brought to justice.
