BUTUAN CITY – Police arrested Surigao del Norte’s most wanted person – an 18-year-old man from Mainit town wanted for statutory rape – in a two-day manhunt operation from Oct. 15 to 16.
In a report to Police Regional Office-13 Director Police Brig. Gen. Alan M. Nazarro, Surigao del Norte Police Provincial Office Director Police Col. Nilo T. Texon said they also caught four other wanted persons – a 40-year-old male in Alegria, an elderly male in Claver, a 23-year-old male in Claver, and a 37-year-old in Sison.
The suspects were apprehended on warrants issued by the Regional Trial Court, 10th Judicial Region, Branches 30 and 32 in Surigao City, and the Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC) in Placer-Bacuag, Surigao del Norte, Texon said.
Texon commended operating units for arresting the suspects.
"Our police force’s dedication to strategic planning and collaboration continues to yield successful outcomes, as evidenced by these timely arrests. We remain steadfast in our mission to uphold the law and ensure the safety of our Surigaonons,” Texon said.
PRO 13-Regional Public Information Office chief Police Major Jennifer S. Ometer said the suspects face appropriate legal proceedings.
Drug pushers
Thirteen suspected drug pushers were arrested and P389,414.60 worth of shabu was seized in 14 anti-illegal drug operations in the Caraga region from Oct. 15 to 16.
Ometer said three suspects were nabbed in Agusan del Sur, seven in the provinces of Surigao, and three in Butuan City – 11 in buy-bust operations and two through the implementation of search warrants issued by local courts.
Recovered from the suspects who face illegal drug charges were 57.267 grams of shabu and drug paraphernalia.
Nazarro commended operating units for their no-nonsense campaign against illegal drugs. He also credited the people for helping in the success of the operations through their information.
Illegal fishing
Police arrested 99 fishermen for illegal fishing in the Caraga region from Oct. 15 to 16.
Recovered from them were 291.5 kilograms of marine products worth P52,253. Confiscated from them were 16 fishing boats with a total market value of P794,280.
Nazarro said they were nabbed in 94 operations and 30 violators were fined in the Agusan provinced, 35 in the provinces of Surigao, and 34 in Dinagat Islands.
“The violators were given citation tickets and were fined for violation of local ordinances,” Ometer said.
“May this accomplishment remind us all that we share a responsibility in protecting our marine resources, which is vital to our local livelihoods,” Nazarro said.
“I expect continued support and cooperation from the community to ensure sustainable fishing practices and preserve our natural resources for future generations here in Caraga region.”