CEBU CITY: Law enforcement officers in the Central Visayas region have seized illegal drugs valued at PHP1.5 billion throughout 2024, a significant achievement in the ongoing battle against narcotics in the Philippines, according to Brig. Gen. Roy Parena, the officer-in-charge of the Police Regional Office-7 (PRO-7).
According to Philippines News Agency, Brig. Gen. Parena reported on Thursday that a total of 7,557 anti-illegal drug operations this year have led to the arrest of 8,772 offenders. The operations resulted in the confiscation of 231,025.63 grams of illegal drugs with a street value of PHP1.57 billion, in addition to marijuana plants worth PHP7.15 million and 1,055 ampules of Nubain valued at PHP121,325.
"As we continue to fulfill our mandated tasks of preventing crime, maintaining peace and order, and ensuring public safety, PRO-7 has made meaningful progress in Central Visayas through our effective anti-crime strategies," Parena stated, commending the dedication and integrity of the region's police force. He further urged officers to sustain their efforts as they move into 2025.
In addition to drug enforcement, PRO-7 has been active in other areas of law enforcement, conducting 7,592 anti-illegal gambling campaigns that resulted in the arrest of 12,624 individuals and the confiscation of PHP1.36 million in cash. Efforts to curb loose firearms have led to the arrest of 1,013 individuals and the recovery of 4,127 firearms, 148 explosives, and various ammunition through 3,942 operations.
Furthermore, 7,259 operations targeting wanted persons resulted in the capture of 905 individuals on the most-wanted list, along with 6,354 others with outstanding warrants. Crime statistics in Central Visayas have also shown an 8.75 percent reduction in index crimes, dropping from 4,013 cases in 2023 to 3,662 in 2024. Parena attributed this decline to enhanced police visibility, checkpoint operations, and focused anti-crime strategies.
The region also achieved a clearance efficiency of 99.24 percent and a solution efficiency of 89.07 percent, underscoring the diligence of investigators in filing appropriate cases.
