ILOILO City – The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) seized more than P249 million worth of illegal drugs in Western Visayas from January to November this year.
More than 36 kilos of shabu and seven kilos of marijuana, with a total standard drug price of P249,000,000, were confiscated in 1,500 operations.
With relentless efforts by the PRO-6 to win the campaign against illegal drugs, 1,843 illegal drug peddlers were arrested. Among these, 1,687 were drug pushers, 87 were drug users, and 46 were both pushers and users, while three were marijuana cultivators and 20 were minors.
Data from the PRO-6 showed that as of Dec. 22, 89.92 percent of the total barangays in Western Visayas were declared as “drug-cleared” by the Regional Oversight Committee Deliberation Board (ROCDB), composed of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Department of Health, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and Philippine National Police.
Here is the breakdown of the drug clearance for the whole region:
* Aklan and Guimaras – 100%;
* Antique – 99.66%;
* Iloilo province – 98.55%;
* Capiz – 90.91%;
* Negros Occidental – 65.22%;
* Iloilo City – 52.22%; and
* Bacolod City – 22.95%
Meanwhile, drug surrenderees underwent a Recovery and Wellness Program to reform individuals involved in illegal drugs. As of this writing, 25,098 already graduated out of the 39,000 drug surrenderees or 62.48 percent.
Some 1,128 are currently enrolled in the said program.
Also, PRO-6 data showed that since 2016 a total of 49 personnel were found positive for illegal drug use; 42 were dismissed from the service; two still waiting for the finality of the decision; and five still undergoing summary hearing proceedings.
“Life is beautiful without the presence of illegal drugs in Western Visayas. Let us altogether work towards the attainment of our goal to have a safer place to live, work and do business. Magtulungan po tayo para sa progresibo at mapayapang Western Visayas,” said Police Brigadier General Leo M. Francisco, PRO-6 director./PN
