By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) has arrested 285 individuals and confiscated PHP6.1 million worth of evidence and 41 unlicensed firearms during a five-day nationwide operation last week.
In a statement on Thursday, CIDG acting director Maj. Gen. Robert Morico II said the coordinated operations conducted from Sept. 1 to 5, led to the arrest of fugitives, high-profile suspects, and law violators.
Morico said under Oplan Pagtugis, the unit captured 195 accused by virtue of warrants of arrest for murder, frustrated murder, attempted murder, homicide, rape, statutory rape, qualified rape of a minor, theft, qualified theft, robbery, syndicated estafa, estafa, violations of Republic Act 9165, and RA 10591, among others.
Among those arrested were regional-level Most Wanted Persons, and provincial-level-Most Wanted Persons in Cavite, Rizal, Davao Oriental, Olongapo, Sultan Kuldarat, Zambales, Pangasinan, Northern Mindanao, Rizal, Bataan, Lanao del Sur, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, Tarlac, Laguna, Davao del Norte, Iloilo, North Cotabato, Davao de Oro, Surigao del Sur, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, and South Cotabato.
Meanwhile, during Oplan Paglalansag Omega, the CIDG seized a total of 41 firearms, including six light weapons and 35 small firearms.
Under Oplan Olea, a total of 59 suspects were arrested for alleged counterfeit and smuggled cigarettes in Davao City, Davao de Oro, Negros Occidental, Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, Zambales, Davao Oriental, Pampanga, Maguindanao del Sur, and Davao del Sur; illegal selling of vape and lumber in Nueva Ecija; illegal selling of dog meat in Ilocos Sur; unregistered consumer products in Pampanga; illegal gambling in Pampanga, Cebu City, Pagadian City, Davao del Sur, Maguindanao del Sur, South Cotabato, Laguna, Zamboanga del Sur; illegal trading of liquified petroleum products, grave threats and robbery-extortion in Leyte; violation of the Animal Welfare Act in Ilocos Norte; robbery-extortion in Rizal; and illegal dental practices in Cavite.
He commended all the CIDG Regional, Provincial, District, and City Field Units and Special Operating Units for arresting 285 suspects, wanted persons, and fugitives; confiscating 41 loose firearms; and seizing PHP6,103,651.00 worth of evidence in five days.
“This is a very good number for a five-day operation. It underscores our unyielding fight against all forms of criminalities and violations of law; and relentless manhunt operations,” said Morico. (PNA)
