CAMP FLORENDO, La Union – Police arrested 24 wanted persons in a week-long operation in the four provinces of the Ilocos region from December 28 to January 3.
Three of them were the most wanted persons in Region 1 composed of the provinces of Ilocos Sur and Norte, La Union, and Pangasinan.
Police also arrested six suspected drug personalities in six operations in the region during the week.
Police Brig. Gen. Lou F. Evangelista, Ilocos police chief, said they are intensifying their campaign against wanted persons, illegal gambling, loose firearms, and illegal drugs this year.
Meanwhile, a 38-year-old farmer was wounded by a stray bullet while sitting inside his house in Barangay Estancia, Narvacan, Ilocos Sur before midnight on Thursday.
Police identified the victim as Jonar F. Villalba.
The victim is in the hospital undergoing treatment.
Barangay Chairman Leonilo Banez has sought police assistance to identify the culprit who might be from the eastern side of their barangay.