OVER P100 million worth of illegal drugs were seized in a two-day intensified anti-narcotics operation from March 7-8, resulting in the arrest of nine wanted persons, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.
Among those arrested were high-ranking most wanted persons, including the top three fugitives and others listed as top four, top five, top seven, top nine, and top 10 in their regions. The suspects face charges of rape, statutory rape, murder, and violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, with several cases carrying no bail recommended.
Among them are a 25-year-old suspect in Negros Oriental for violation of the anti-illegal drugs law, one in Davao City for murder, and a 55-year-old from the National Capital Region arrested in Pangasinan for multiple counts of qualified rape of a minor.
Other fugitives facing rape charges were separately arrested in Bataan, Davao Oriental, Davao Occidental, Bukidnon, and Rizal, along with another suspect wanted for drug-related offenses.
Meanwhile, intensified anti-drug operations resulted in the seizure of illegal drugs with a total estimated value of P99,742,575.00, including shabu worth P1.19 million and marijuana valued at P98.55 million.
Authorities also uprooted and destroyed marijuana plants with a combined estimated value of about P28.75 million from plantation sites discovered in Ilocos Sur, Kalinga, and Benguet.
In a separate interdiction operation at Clark International Airport in Pampanga, authorities arrested two Chinese nationals and seized marijuana worth approximately P69.8 million.
In Cebu City, operatives also arrested a 21-year-old Filipino male classified as a high-value individual and seized around 175 grams of shabu worth approximately P1.19 million.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. commended the operating units and reiterated the PNP’s firm stance against fugitives and illegal drugs.
“It is our job to ensure that these lawless elements are accountable. We will not let them escape. Our operations will continue until they face justice,” he said.