Negros Oriental: The Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO) has extended its enhanced police operations from the usual three days to an entire week, as disclosed by an official on Tuesday. This extension marks a significant change in policing strategy for the region.

According to Philippines News Agency, Lt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson for NOrPPO, indicated that the recent Simultaneous Anti-Criminality Law Enforcement Operations (SACLEO) took place from June 9 to 15 across the province. This extended duration aligns with a new directive from the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR), which was recently established.

Polinar explained that this was the first instance of a week-long SACLEO, contrasting with the previous three-day operations under PRO-7 when Negros Oriental was part of the Central Visayas region. The extended operations are also a component of the Philippine National Police's Unit Performance Evaluation Rating (UPER), a system for measuring and assessing the monthly performance of police units.

During the SACLEO, police in Negros Oriental made significant progress, seizing PHP600,000 worth of suspected shabu and arresting 21 individuals involved in drug-related activities. Additionally, 15 grams of suspected marijuana were confiscated. The operations also led to 27 illegal gambling arrests, the apprehension of two most wanted individuals, and 49 other wanted persons, as well as the confiscation or surrender of 40 loose firearms. Four operations under Oplan Katok resulted in the safekeeping of firearms pending license renewals.

Furthermore, 1,015 individuals were apprehended for various ordinance violations. Polinar noted that the unexpected announcement of the SACLEO by the regional police office contributed to a lower turnout in anti-illegal drug operations. The intensified operations were strategically timed to coincide with Brigada Eskwela, the Independence Day celebrations, and the commencement of classes.