Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday vowed a more aggressive stance against criminality and illegal drugs.
According to Philippines News Agency, this announcement comes in the wake of the arrest of two suspects involved in the murder of three mobile phone technicians in Lal-lo, Cagayan on March 12, as well as the confiscation of over 24 kilograms of shabu worth PHP163 million at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on March 13 and 14.
The arrested suspects, aged 31 and 48, were apprehended a day after the bodies of the technicians were discovered along a provincial road in Barangay Sta. Teresa, Lal-lo. Initial findings suggest the victims were shot multiple times, with robbery suspected as the motive following the disappearance of PHP1.1 million and a mobile phone belonging to one of the victims.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez stated that the arrest of the two suspects underscored the effectiveness of enhanced intelligence-driven operations, ensuring that those committing heinous crimes are brought to justice. "Our commitment is not only to prevent crime but to ensure fast police response against law offenders," Nartatez emphasized in a news release.
Nartatez also highlighted the collaboration between local residents and investigators, which was instrumental in apprehending the suspects. He assured the victims' families, "To the families of the victims, we offer our deepest condolences. Hindi namin kayo pababayaan (We will not leave you). Justice is being served and we will ensure the prosecution is airtight."
On the anti-drug front, the NAIA-Intelligence and Detection Investigation Task Group intercepted two abandoned inbound parcels containing nearly 20 kilograms of suspected shabu worth PHP135.96 million at the Cargo Center of the NAIA Complex in Pasay City. The drugs were concealed in tea and coffee packages, shipped from abroad, and addressed to a recipient in Marilao, Bulacan.
Additionally, airport authorities seized PHP28.2 million worth of shabu from the luggage of a 48-year-old Croatian national who arrived from Johannesburg, South Africa, with a connecting flight from Hong Kong on Saturday. Nartatez reiterated the PNP's message, "Malinaw ang mensahe natin (Our message is clear): Anyone who attempts to smuggle illegal drugs into the country will be intercepted and held accountable. We will continue strengthening airport security operations to protect the public."
