By Jennifer P. Rendon
Different police units in Western Visayas arrested 525 persons in the weeklong anti-crime operations.
They were arrested relative to Police Regional Office (PRO) 6’s enforcement of enhanced anti-criminality and law enforcement operations
Dubbed as Birada Semana, it is a weeklong enhanced managing police operation (E-MPO) with focused police operations on anti-criminality, wanted persons, illegal drugs, and illegal gambling.
This month’s Birada Semana ran from January 23 to 29.
Almost half of those arrested were wanted persons numbering 241.
Most of those arrested were categorized as Other Wanted Persons (OWPs) at 196 while 45 are considered as Most Wanted Persons (MWPs).
Their arrest was a result of Manhunt Charlie Operations conducted regionwide.
On the other hand, 54 operations against violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) were conducted which resulted in the arrest of 103 persons, including the 32 persons arrested at Barangay Bakhaw, Mandurriao, Iloilo City last week.
PRO-6 units also mounted 51 anti-illegal gambling operations that led to the arrest of 167 persons.
Also, 14 persons were arrested for violation of RA 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).
A total of 159 firearms and 25 explosives were recovered/deposited/surrendered to different police units in Western Visayas.
Part of the E-MPO was the conduct of 2,655 checkpoints in a week’s time in a bid of deterring lawless elements from doing their nefarious activities.
Brigadier General Leo Francisco, Western Visayas police chief, said that PRO-6 personnel’s accomplishments are a testament to all their efforts to combat the menace of illegal drugs and other forms of criminality that disrupt the peace and order situation in Western Visayas.
