By Donna Rempillo
CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – A total of 432 individuals were arrested as a result of a week-long intensified and simultaneous Anti-Criminality Law Enforcement Operation(SACLEO) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Region 3.
Out of this number, 120 were arrested in Pampanga, Tarlac and Angeles City for having standing warrants of arrest, 68 for illegal possession of drugs, 92 for illegal gambling, and 152 others for violation of special laws and other local ordinances.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
The operations also culled 589 sachets of shabu, 19 assorted firearms, three grenades and a separate plastic bag containing 100 grams of illegal drugs with 11 sachets of marijuana along with P44, 392 in cash bets and gambling paraphernalia.
PRO3 Regional Director Brig. Gen, Rhodel Sermonia claimed the operations have already resulted in the arrest of thousands of fugitives and confiscation of millions of pesos in illegal drugs and gambling paraphernalia since he assumed office last November 4, 2019.
“Wala pa akong tatlong buwan dito ay nakaanim na operation na po tayo. Ibig sabihin we can do SACLEO once or twice a month, depending on the result of the operation [It’s only my third month here but we have already conducted six SACLEO. Meaning, we can do it once or twice a month depending on the result of the operation),” Sermonia said.
Sermonia also noted that the Central Luzon region has become generally peaceful .
“Ipinagmamalaki po naming ditto sa Central Luzon na maayos po ang peace and order dito. Wala po tayong major crime incidence po na nangyayari” [ We are proud to say that peace and order in Central Luzon is favorable), he said.
“Ang mga programa pong inilatag natin ay di lang po pro-people, di lamang po yung promotions for the morale of our kababayan but also to counter all forms of criminality and the existence of CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army)” [Our programs are not only pro-people or for the promotion for morale of our countrymen, but also to counter all forms of criminality and the existence of CPP-NPA),” he further said.
The Central Luzon Regional Police Office has held the top rank in the Unit Performace Evaluation Report, a system ranking for PNP offices in the country, according to Sermonia.