MANILA – The one-time-big-time (OTBT) operations conducted by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) have yielded a total of 23 incumbent elective officials.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde said on Monday that the elective officials were arrested during the extensive operations of the CIDG from March 22 to 28.
Among the notable elected officials arrested were incumbent Mayor Romeo Vargas of Tubajon, Dinagat Island and incumbent Vice Mayor Antonio Adlao of Tagbina, Surigao del Sur both due to illegal possession of firearms.
According to Albayalde, their intensified campaign against loose firearms will help prevent or lessen incidents of election-related violence and also stopping criminals from committing illegal activities.
“We verify all information regarding complaints that we receive. Once we confirm that the information is real, that is the time we conduct police operations,” Albayalde said in a media briefing at Camp Crame.
“We do not care whether it is about the incumbent official or about a political rival or whoever. It doesn’t matter. We will implement the law no matter what,” the PNP chief added.
The OTBT operations were launched and focused on the risk factors affecting the security and safety coverage of 2019 mid-term elections due to the presence of loose firearms and PAGs couple with intense political rivalry and presence of criminal gangs. /PN
