Negros oriental: Negros Oriental police have seized more than PHP117.4 million of suspected shabu during the first eight months of this year, an official said Wednesday. Lt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO), highlighted the vigorous implementation of the campaign against illegal drugs, describing it as a crucial part of the four-point priority agenda of the acting Chief PNP, Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.

According to Philippines News Agency, the anti-criminality focus areas also include illegal gambling, loose firearms, and apprehending wanted persons. NOrPPO records indicate that from January to August, 358 anti-illegal drug operations were conducted. These operations led to the arrest of 376 individuals, the confiscation of 17,274 grams of suspected shabu, and the seizure of 42.2 grams of dried marijuana leaves and 161 marijuana plants and stalks valued at PHP37,264.

In the same period, 1,306 operations targeting wanted persons were executed, resulting in the arrest of 1,145 Other Wanted and 185 Most Wanted Persons (MWP). Among these arrests were 27 MWP at the regional level, 76 at the provincial, 33 at the city, and 49 at the municipal levels.

The campaign against loose firearms saw 672 operations, leading to the arrest of 41 individuals and the confiscation of 191 unregistered firearms, 119 unrenewed firearms, and 362 improvised firearms. In terms of illegal gambling, 409 operations resulted in the arrest of 894 individuals and the confiscation of PHP98,000 in bet money.

Polinar stated that many of these achievements were realized through the execution of the Simultaneous Anti-Criminality Enhanced Operations.