A TOTAL of P8.5 billion worth of illegal drugs were seized this year, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The country’s police force on Friday said the drugs were seized during operations it conducted together with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
Aside from its successful efforts to combat the proliferation of illegal drugs in the country, the PNP also showcased its achievements in the war against terrorism, wanted persons, and loose firearms.
In a statement, the PNP said their operations with the PDEA against illegal drugs for 2021 enabled them to arrest 66,278 drug personalities and the confiscation of illegal drugs with an estimated value of more than P4.653 billion. “Additionally, in joint operations with PDEA, more than P8.5 billion,” the PNP statement said.
Also, these operations led to the apprehension of Chinese personalities Gao Manzhu, Hong Jianshe, Eddie Tan, and Xu Youhua last September 27 in Zambales. A total of P3.4 billion worth of shabu were confiscated from the suspects.
The PNP also conducted 96 government-initiated encounters, where 5,487 persons,, which it identified with terrorist groups, were killed during the PNP’s war on terrorism. At least 1,148 small arms and light weapons were also recovered during said operations, the statement read.
The PNP also reported the apprehension of Salome Crisostomo-Ujano in November, who is wanted for rebellion, Ma. Loida Magpatoc in September, wanted for murder, and Gavino Manaig Panganiban in August, wanted for both murder and rebellion.
Ujano’s arrest has a P5-million monetary reward for her arrest, while Magpatoc and Panganiban carries a reward for their apprehension of P5.35 million, and P4.5 million, respectively.
With regard to wanted persons, a total of 95 were arrested, four dead, while two surrendered during police operations. Among those arrested was Monteson Ignacio Jr., wanted for homicide, frustrated murder, murder, and attempted carnapping, with a P550,000 reward for his arrest.
The PNP also served 69,077 Warrants of Arrest on wanted persons, where 405 surrendered and 122 died during police operations.
A total of 25,141 small arms and light weapons were also seized by the PNP, with 10,503 suspects arrested and 4,875 criminal cases filed in courts on the issue of loose firearms.
PNP chief Police General Dionardo Carlos said they would continue maintaining peace and order, especially in the coming May 2022 polls.