Manila: Around PHP14.89 billion worth of illegal drugs have been seized, and over 45,000 drug suspects have been arrested in anti-drug operations from January to September 4, as reported by the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday. In a press briefing held at Camp Crame, PNP public information chief Brig. Gen. Randulf Tua±o detailed that 37,401 police operations resulted in the arrest of 45,546 drug suspects and the confiscation of PHP14.89 billion worth of illegal drugs.
According to Philippines News Agency, these operations included PHP628.4 million worth of illegal drugs seized in a series of nationwide operations from August 29 to September 4. During this period, 1,046 operations led to the arrest of 1,213 suspects and the seizure of 92,167 kg of shabu, 492 kg of marijuana leaves, 8,293 marijuana plants, and 2 grams of ecstasy. The PNP information chief highlighted that in the campaign against wanted persons, 1,005 most wanted individuals and seven other wanted persons were apprehended during intensified manhunt operations.
In the same press briefing, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) acting district director Col. Randy Glenn Silvio announced that 187 persons facing various offenses were arrested in police operations in Quezon City from August 31 to September 6. During the same week, 46 anti-illegal drug operations were conducted, leading to the arrest of 69 drug suspects and the confiscation of PHP599,238 worth of illegal drugs. Furthermore, 20 anti-illegal gambling operations resulted in the arrest of 34 gamblers and the confiscation of PHP11,751 in bet money. The campaign against wanted persons led to 80 arrests, including 37 most wanted and 43 other wanted individuals.
Additionally, four operations against loose firearms were conducted, leading to the recovery of four firearms and the arrest of four individuals. Appropriate charges have been filed against the arrested persons, including violations of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), Presidential Decree 1602 (Illegal Gambling Law), and RA 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) before the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office. Col. Silvio commended the QCPD operatives for their relentless efforts.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported the confiscation of PHP1.16 billion worth of illegal drugs in a series of nationwide operations from August 29 to September 5. In a separate statement on Monday, the PDEA noted that 48 operations resulted in the arrest of 101 suspects and the seizure of 169,557.58 kg of shabu, 10,250 fully grown marijuana plants, 272.63 grams of marijuana fruiting tops, and 1,000 pieces of marijuana seedlings. PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani Nerez praised the agency's regional offices for their continued compliance with the operational objectives of sustained and intensified counter-drug operations as mandated by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
