Laguna cops held 719 suspects in intensified operations

LUCENA CITY –– Police arrested 719 suspects in a two-day intensified anti-criminality operations in Laguna province starting Wednesday, Feb. 3.

Colonel Serafin Petalio II, Laguna police chief, said in a report on Feb. 4 that policemen from all over the province nabbed 136 drug suspects, 115 illegal gamblers, and 69 wanted criminals, 19 of them on the list of most-wanted felons in Laguna.

The police also collared 399 suspected criminals and law violators in checkpoints, mobile and beat patrols, and other operations.

Petalio said they confiscated 19 illegal firearms and impounded 115 vehicles involved in accidents and illegal activities.

He said the Laguna police also strengthened the war against communist insurgents through public programs and activities.

These included the holding of seminars under President Duterte’s Executive Order (EO) No. 70 and distribution of information, education, and communication materials against the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army.

Petalio said they aim to increase public knowledge “on the impact of (NPA) terrorism on the quality of life of the individuals being persuaded by terrorist groups.”

EO70, which Duterte signed on Dec. 4, 2020, directed the adoption of a national peace framework under a whole-of-nation approach to attain “inclusive and sustainable peace” in the country to “address the root causes” of the armed conflict.