During a weeklong anti-crime operation in Central Luzon, 422 people were arrested for various offenses, and illegal drugs with an estimated street value of PHP3.4 million were confiscated.
Brig. Gen. Jose Hidalgo Jr., chief of the Police Regional Office 3 (Central Luzon), said Tuesday that the anti-criminality operations from Feb. 19 to 25 were part of their ongoing efforts to rid the region of all forms of criminality.
Of those arrested, 122 have outstanding warrants for their arrest, 159 were apprehended for illegal drugs, 135 for illegal gambling, and six for violating other special laws.
17 of the 122 suspects were wanted for crimes ranging from murder and attempted murder to rape and have arrest warrants.
In addition, PHP3.4 million in illegal drugs, PHP101,499 in bet money, and three loose firearms were seized.
Hidalgo attributed the successes to timely coordination, intelligence-driven operations of various police units, and the strong support of local officials as well as those in the region's private sector.
Meanwhile, on Monday, two suspected drug peddlers were apprehended and nearly PHP400,000 in suspected shabu was seized in Angeles City, this province.
Hidalgo stated that Noraida Pacasum and Marvin Guevarra were apprehended during an anti-illegal drug operation in Barangay Pandan, Angeles City.
He said the two suspects were arrested with 11 plastic sachets containing suspected shabu weighing about 55 grams and valued at PHP374,000 by the Dangerous Drugs Board, as well as PHP1,000 in marked money.
