264 nabbed in police operations

CEBU, Philippines —  A total of 264 individuals were arrested by the authorities in a three-day Synchronized Enhanced Managing Police Operations (SEMPO) in Talisay City and Consolacion town, Cebu.

Of the number, 167 are from Talisay.

Talisay police chief Gerard Ace Pelare said 103 of them were arrested for illegal drugs, illegal gambling and other criminal charges, while the rest were apprehended for violating the traffic rules.

Police served arrest warrants against five personalities, including two most wanted persons in the city.

They also served search warrants against five personalities, resulting in their arrest and in the seizure of 43.14 grams of shabu worth P301,920.

They also hatched five separate anti-gambling operations that led to the arrest of 16 people.

The operations were done from February 24 to 26.

“With the number of arrests, our operations are effective,” said Pelare.

In Consolacion, on the other hand, 97 were also arrested during SEMPO.

The municipal police apprehended four drug personalities, two illegal gamblers, and two most wanted individuals. They also seized one loose firearm and three guns with expired licenses.

They also rounded up over 80 residents who violated the health protocols against COVID-19.

Those arrested will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165 (The Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), President Decree 1602 (it prescribes stiffer penalties for illegal gambling), and RA 10591 (The Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Law), among others. — Rowena D. Capistrano, Banat News correspondents, KQD (FREEMAN)