DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. on Monday disclosed that the Philippine National Police (PNP) has confiscated a some P13.6 billion worth of illegal drugs from January 1 to June 21 this year
In a press briefing held in Camp Crame in Quezon City, Abalos said the operations also resulted in the arrest of 28,804 suspects.
The seized illegal drugs consisted of 1,779.74 kilos (kg) of shabu; 3,559.04 kg. of dried marijuana; 4,951,655 pieces of marijuana plants; 26.62 kg. of cocaine and 4.17 kg. of ecstasy.
“Focusing on the week of June 17 to 21, 2024, the PNP conducted 111 operations, arresting 123 individuals and seizing significant quantities of illegal drugs, including 6,122.89 grams of shabu and 52,001 grams of marijuana, along with 22,340 uprooted marijuana
plants. The estimated value of these seizures is PHP52,343,800.56,” Abalos said.
The DILG chief commended the top three performing PNP units in the campaign –the Police Regional Office (PRO) 4A (Calabarzon) and PRO 7 (Central Visayas), and the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (DEG).
From June 17 to 21, Abalos said the PNP’s intensified drive led to the arrest of 1,197 suspects in the wanted list, including 347 tagged as “most wanted.”
The secretary said those arrested included former Negros Oriental Gov. Pryde Henry Teves, who was nabbed on June 20 and was charged with three counts of terrorism financing, with a recommended bail of P200,000 per count.
Teves was later released after posting P600,000-bail for his temporary liberty.
Abalos said the PNP also apprehended 106 people for i legal possession of firearms, resulting in the confiscation of 183 firearms.
Meanwhile, PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said they are in the process of reviving the 911 emergency hotline to ensure the quick response of police officers to incidents.
“It’s old that you hear why the police are slow but now, it’s fast. This is what we are doing and you will see many accomplishments, this is the New Philippines, what the police want, you are safe,” he added.