By Jennifer P. Rendon
Police units in Western Visayas confiscated more than PHP 82 million worth of illegal drugs during a series of anti-drug operations in October 2024.
From Oct. 1 to 31, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 reported seizing approximately 12,066 grams of shabu valued at PHP 82.048 million and 2,013 grams of marijuana worth PHP 241,000 in 246 operations.
According to PRO-6 records, the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) reported the highest volume of seized drugs at PHP 29.7 million, followed by the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) with PHP 28.8 million and the Iloilo Police Provincial Office with PHP 11.1 million.
However, an earlier report from ICPO stated that it confiscated about PHP 32.7 million worth of shabu in October.
The operations also led to the arrest of 318 drug suspects.
The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOcPPO) recorded the highest number of arrests at 104, while the Iloilo City Police Office made 83 arrests.
The Bacolod City Police Office arrested 62 suspects, the Iloilo Police Provincial Office reported 45 arrests, the Capiz Police Provincial Office had nine, the Antique Police Provincial Office reported seven, the Aklan Police Provincial Office had four, and the Guimaras Police Provincial Office and the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 6 each reported two arrests.
Last month, PRO-6 reported 312 arrests from 230 operations.
Notably, the value of drugs seized in September was only pegged at PHP 42 million.
October’s drug haul marked a 95.2 percent increase compared to the previous month.
Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Solis, PRO-6 spokesperson, attributed the surge in seized drugs to large operations in Bacolod City, which celebrated the MassKara Festival.
Brigadier General Jack Wanky, Western Visayas police chief, commended unit commanders and their personnel for their efforts.
“These figures reflect your commitment to our campaign to rid our community of the menace of illegal drugs,” Wanky said.
He also urged them to maintain good community rapport and strengthen collaboration with other agencies.
