Taguig City Mayor Lino Edgardo Cayetano on Monday lauded the concerted effort of the local government and the police force that resulted in the arrest of big-time criminals included in the most wanted list in the city.
Authorities have arrested the three of the Top 10 most wanted criminals in the city—Victorious Movido (3rd), Rene Parazo (9th), and Mark Anthony Bornel (10th).
“As part of the goal of making Taguig a safe city, the third, ninth and tenth most wanted men in Taguig are now off the streets,” said Cayetano.
Also arrested during the police “One-Time Big-Time Operations” was a retired police colonel after he was caught taking illegal drugs in Barangay North Signal red-handed.
The latest crackdown was conducted by around 1,000 operatives of the Taguig City Police Station, National Capital Region Police Office and Southern Police District.
The 21 simultaneous police operations— serving arrest and search warrants, buy-bust, random checkpoints, and other anti-crime campaigns—also led to the arrest of 312 individuals violating city ordinances and the rescue of 58 minors.
More than 113 sachets of suspected shabu, seven firearms, and two hand grenades were also recovered during the police operation.
"We will continuously work on a plan to have a closer coordination with our barangays and other peacekeeping units. This is a big challenge in terms of peace and order but rest assured that this is the priority of our administration as it is the priority of President Duterte," Cayetano said.
The city chief executive said residents of Taguig should expect intensified One-Time Big-Time operations as he urged the police to make this the "new norm."
Cayetano noted that these operations were crucial to deterring crime in the community. He added police presence give law-abiding citizens a sense of security.
"Let us let criminals know that there is no room for crime in Taguig, and the law-abiding persons that the local government is here to protect them always," the mayor said.
Taguig City police commander Col. Alexander Santos said their police operations are being conducted daily in the city, sending a strong message to criminals that the long arm of the law will always catch up to them in the city.
NCRPO chief Guillermo Eleazar also commended Santos, his men and the SPD operatives for the latest accomplishments.
"So, with this accomplishment, I would like to recognize the effort of Taguig City Police Station, with all its men and women, together with (SPD) and the assistance of the Special Action Force coming from our national headquarters," he said.