Iloilo city: Various units of the Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO6) seized over PHP132.7 million worth of illegal drugs during the first 100 days of Regional Director Brig. Gen. Josefino Ligan. Based on the accomplishment report presented on Tuesday, the PRO6 conducted 391 operations from June 19 to Sept. 26, resulting in the arrest of 192 high-value individuals and 333 street-level individuals, and confiscation of over 19,678 grams of shabu and marijuana.

According to Philippines News Agency, Brig. Gen. Ligan emphasized the ongoing challenge of illegal drugs in Western Visayas, noting a monthly average seizure of more than six kilos. Despite the arrests, he acknowledged the persistence of the drug trade, with players replacing those apprehended. Ligan stated that illegal drugs remain attractive due to their tax-free nature and ease of distribution. However, he assured that PRO6 remains committed to sustaining efforts in drug supply reduction.

Ligan highlighted the importance of intelligence analysis on arrested individuals to trace the drug sources. He also mentioned the development of a database for individuals who have availed of plea-bargain deals, ensuring they cannot exploit the system repeatedly. Despite the challenges, Ligan remarked that the situation is manageable, with identified and arrested key personalities in the region.