Fewer raids but more pushers, drugs seized in Central Visayas–PNP

CEBU CITY—There were fewer operations against illegal drugs in Central Visayas yet more drug peddlers and illegal substance seized in the first half of 2016.

This was based on the accomplishment report submitted by Philippine National Police-Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PNP PRO-7).

Chief Supt. Patrocinio Comendador Jr., PRO-7 director, said the police were on the right track.

“Our thrust now is not just to get more kilos (of ‘shabu’) but also to arrest high quality targets because if we get the right targets, we could also reduce the supply of illegal drugs,” he said during the Talakayan sa Isyung Pulis forum at the PRO-7 media center on Wednesday.

Based on the PRO-7 accomplishment report, 1,615 persons were arrested for illegal drug violations in Central Visayas in 1,098 operations conducted from January to May 2016.

Illegal drug operations was reduced by 47 compared to the same period last year but 65 more individuals were arrested.

The number of cases filed before the prosecution offices also increased from 2,114 to 2,170 in the first five months of the year.

The value of confiscated shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) also improved from 8,121.3 grams from January to May 2015 to 1,074.15 grams in the same period this year.

The worth of the seized drugs surged from P95.8 million to P106.4 million in the region this year.

Of the 120 top drug personalities in Cebu City, 72 were arrested, said Senior Supt. Benjamin Santos Jr., Cebu City Police Office.

“That means, 72 percent of the notorious or most wanted drug pushers in the city have been arrested,” he said.

Comendador clarified that the success of the intensified antidrugs campaign was not because of the reward money being offered by President-elect Rodrigo Duterte and Cebu City Mayor-elect Tomas Osmeña.

“Service before incentives. We can’t work with money as our motivation. Our commitment to serve is our primary motivation. Incentives are secondary,” he said.

Duterte on Tuesday announced his plan to give a bounty to policemen who could either arrest or kill a drug lord.

The same policy was introduced by Osmeña after winning in the May 9 elections.