By Jennifer P. Rendon
The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) conducted more anti-narcotics operations during this month’s Birada Semana, yet the quantity of drugs confiscated dropped significantly compared to the previous month.
From August 5 to 11, PRO-6 carried out 89 anti-illegal drug operations, resulting in the arrest of 114 individuals.
However, only 1.654 kilograms of shabu, valued at P11.250 million, were seized.
The figure represents a 50.39% decrease from the July drug haul of 3.335 kilograms of shabu, valued at P22.678 million.
Brigadier General Jack Wanky, Western Visayas police chief, attributed the high number of arrests but the lower volume of drug confiscation to the scarcity of drug supply circulating in the region.
“We have been conducting consistent operations on target personalities even after Birada Semana,” Wanky noted.
Birada Semana is a weeklong enhanced managing police operations (E-MPO) focused on anti-criminality, wanted persons, illegal drugs, and illegal gambling.
Wanky also cited the reduction in the number of target drug personalities as another reason for the lower drug haul.
Similar to last month, the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) led in shabu confiscation, seizing 626.2 grams worth P4,268,160.
The Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 6 (RPDEU-6), known for conducting high-value anti-narcotics operations, ranked seventh this time after confiscating 75 grams of shabu valued at P510,000.
The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), which previously posted the largest drug confiscation during Birada Semana, seized 343.63 grams of shabu worth P2,336,684, while the Iloilo City Police Office recovered 205 grams valued at P1,394,000.
The Capiz Police Provincial Office (CPPO) ranked fourth, seizing 157.08 grams of shabu valued at P1,068,144, while the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOcPPO) placed fifth after confiscating 138.565 grams of shabu worth P942,242.
Rounding out the list were the Antique PPO, which seized 95 grams of shabu valued at P646,000; Guimaras PPO with 11 grams valued at P74,800; and Aklan PPO with only P19,992.
