More than 130 people were arrested in simultaneous police operations on Thursday in connection with a police crackdown on suspected drug dealers and other criminal elements in southern Metro Manila.
Southern Police District director Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg said among those arrested were 49 men engaged in drug use and trafficking, while 59 others were involved in illegal gambling.
Also arrested were 28 people with standing warrants for various crimes.
“These were the result of one-day Simultaneous Anti-Criminality Law Enforcement Operation (SACLEO),” Macaraeg said.
The latest operations also resulted in the seizure of at least P1.2 million worth of prohibited drugs notably shabu and marijuana.
“In the relentless effort to account for loose firearms, one cal. 45 with five live ammunition and one improvised shotgun loaded with two live ammunition were confiscated,” Macaraeg said.
In its anti-illegal gambling campaign, the SPD men arrested 59 individuals and recovered a bet money amounting to ₱7, 653.
“The non-stop manhunt operation against wanted persons conducted by the seven police stations yielded 28 arrests, six of them listed as most wanted persons,” Macaraeg said.
Macaraeg commended his men for their latest accomplishments.
“The constant accomplishments are result of the collaborative efforts of the men and women of the SPD. I am impressed by your diligence in fulfilling your duty as law enforcers. I hope we can maintain this momentum that may turn our goal for sustainable peace, security and violence free community,” he said.
The National Capital Region Police Office also praised Macaraeg and his men for their successful operations, which it stated, in line with its support to the directive of the PNP to go against illegal drugs and other criminality.
The NCRPO had ordered the five police districts in Metro Manila to fully enforce the PNP’s anti-crime campaign dubbed as SACLEO, or the simultaneous anti-criminality and law enforcement operations, aimed to ensure peace and order in the community.
SACLEO is an all-out police operation simultaneously conducted in identified areas against illegal drug personalities, most wanted persons, holders of loose firearms, illegal gamblers, and city ordinance violators.