PRO-6 seizes PHP 43.8 million shabu in April

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Police seized nearly PHP 44 million worth of illegal drugs in Western Visayas in April under the Police Regional Office 6’s anti-illegal drug campaign.

Although the figure appears high, it was lower than the drug haul recorded in previous months.

Brig. Gen. Josefino Ligan, Western Visayas police chief, said different PRO-6 units seized around 6.4 kilograms of suspected shabu in April.

The seized shabu was valued at PHP 43.894 million.

Ligan noted that PRO-6 units seized 8 kilograms of shabu in March.

PRO-6 reports also showed that from Feb. 1 to 28, police seized more than 11.010 kilograms of shabu valued at PHP 74.868 million.

In January, PRO-6 units seized 8.917 kilograms of shabu valued at PHP 60.6 million.

Although operational accomplishments slightly declined in April, Ligan said this should not be viewed as a setback in the region’s anti-drug campaign.

“As our operations intensify, we are seeing na ‘yung mga mga pushers natakot. Nag-lay low sila,” Ligan said adding “but one thing is for sure we would continue our operations against illegal drugs.”

In April, police arrested 170 drug personalities in 137 anti-narcotics operations.

Of the total drug haul in Western Visayas for the month, the Iloilo Police Provincial Office confiscated 3.4 kilograms of shabu worth PHP 23.12 million, or 52.6% of the regional total.

The Iloilo City Police Office seized 1.422 kilograms of shabu valued at PHP 9.669 million.

The Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 6 confiscated 1.405 kilograms of shabu worth PHP 9.554 million.

The four other provincial police offices each recorded drug hauls valued at less than PHP 1 million.

The Capiz Police Provincial Office seized PHP 618,800 worth of illegal drugs, followed by the Antique Police Provincial Office with PHP 487,080, the Guimaras Police Provincial Office with PHP 340,000, and the Aklan Police Provincial Office with PHP 95,200.

In February, PRO-6 arrested 187 drug personalities in 144 anti-narcotics operations, including 70 high-value individuals, 114 street-level pushers, and three suspects who were not on the police drug watchlist.

The anti-drug operations are part of the government’s continuing enforcement of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.