PRO-6 nets more than P249 million worth of illegal drugs

The Police Regional Office 6 seized more than P249 million worth of shabu and marijuana from January to November 2022.

During the 11 months, 1,500 operations were conducted which resulted in the arrest of 1,843 illegal drug personalities. The arrested persons included 1,687 drug pushers, 87 drug users and 46 who are both pushers and users, 3 drug cultivators and 20 minors.

More than 36 kilos of shabu and 7 kilos of marijuana were confiscated with a Standard Drug Price of P249 million.

According to Police Brigadier General Leo M Francisco, PRO-6 director, as of December 22, around 89.92 percent of the barangays in Western Visayas were cleared of illegal drugs by the Regional Oversight Committee Deliberation Board (ROCDB) composed of PDEA, DOH, DILG and the PNP.

Aklan and Guimaras provinces are 100% cleared followed by Antique (99.66%), Iloilo Province (98.55%), Capiz (90.91%), Negros Occidental (65.22%), Iloilo City (52.22%), and Bacolod City (22.95%).

Recovery and Wellness Programs were also conducted for Drug Surrenderers. The purpose is to reform individuals who were once involved in illegal drug use but were willing to change their life for the better.

As of now, 25,098 out of the 39,000 drug surrenderers, or 62.48 percent, have graduated from the program, while 1,128 are currently enrolled.

Also, PRO-6 said it did not tolerate uniformed personnel who were involved in illegal drug activities. Based on its data, from 2016 to the present, a total of 49 personnel were found positive for illegal drug use, 42 were dismissed from the service, 2 are waiting for the final decision on their case, and 5 are still on Summary Hearing Proceedings.

Police General Rodolfo S Azurin Jr., PNP chief, said during his visit to Western Visayas during the “Lakad Kontra Droga” at Esplanade 1, Mandurriao, Iloilo City on Dec 21, 2022, that “there will be more arrests, no more killing but instead more on education and reinforcement.”

“We will make use of the different sectors of the government to help us, especially our church leaders and the barangay officials. It is a concerted effort. It will become a whole-of-the-nation approach. Tulong-tulong po ang kapulisan, simbahan at pamayanan sa labang ito,” Azurin said.

PRO6 is optimistic about winning the fight against illegal drugs and in gaining the trust and confidence of the public and other sectors of society towards the police.

“Life is beautiful without the presence of illegal drugs in Western Visayas. Let us altogether work towards the attainment of our goal to have a safer place to live, work and do business. Magtulungan po tayo para sa progresibo at mapayapang Western Visayas,” added Gen. Francisco.