CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) — The Police Regional Office 3 (PRO 3) has vowed to intensify its efforts against criminality and terrorism in Central Luzon.
During the 11th episode of the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas of the Philippine Information Agency, Police Regional Director PBGen. Jose Hidalgo Jr. reiterated PRO 3’s commitment to serving and protecting its constituents.
“Campaigns against illegal drugs, illegal gambling, and firearms are continuously intensified, and we will not relent, especially on drugs and loose firearms, as they are often used in crimes. We have already executed several search warrants targeting individuals involved in these illegal activities. These campaigns will continue and be strengthened,” he said.
From February 2023 to July 2024, the police arrested 11,454 individuals in their campaign against illegal drugs.
They confiscated 36,588.86 grams of shabu, 76,724.05 grams of marijuana, 1,466 ecstasy tablets, 70 grams of ketamine, and 100 grams of cocaine.
The total Dangerous Drug Board value of the seized drugs amounts to P261,939,267.88.
Additionally, PRO 3 arrested 9,330 individuals in their fight against illegal gambling and confiscated P5,284,909 in cash bets.
The robust implementation of Oplan Bakal and Oplan Katok resulted in the confiscation of various loose firearms.
Officers arrested 973 individuals for violations related to loose firearms, recovered, surrendered, or confiscated 127 firearms for violating Republic Act 10591, and accepted 2,883 firearms for safekeeping.
Through the Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict and their persistent anti-terrorism campaign, the police achieved significant milestones.
They arrested 14 members of Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs), facilitated the surrender of 351 CTG members, saw 866 CTG members withdraw their support, and confiscated or recovered 357 firearms and 346 explosives from CTGs.
Additionally, their unwavering pursuit of justice led to the arrest of 1,913 most wanted persons and 10,293 wanted persons.
Hidalgo emphasized the importance of community involvement in maintaining peace and order.
“That’s why we are promoting the mantra of PRO 3, which is ‘Police ng PRO 3, Partner Ng Pamayanan.’ We cannot maintain peace and order alone. We need the participation of every member of the community,” he added.
Hidalgo praised his team’s efforts, highlighting that over the past year, their dedicated officers and staff have worked tirelessly to ensure community safety and security.
“Our concerted crime-fighting efforts have yielded substantial results, particularly in our intensified campaign against illegal drugs, which has led to numerous arrests and the confiscation of significant quantities of illegal substances, thereby weakening drug syndicates’ operations in the region,” he noted.
As they move forward, the police force remains steadfast in their mission to uphold peace and order in Central Luzon. (CLJD/RPQ, PIA Region 3-Pampanga)
