One-week police crackdown nets 142 suspects in Laguna

CALAMBA CITY, Laguna - The Laguna police arrested 142 individuals during a week-long anti-criminality drive from Sept. 9 to 15. The crackdown targeted illegal drugs, illegal gambling, wanted persons, and loose firearms across the province. Col. Gauvin Mel Unos, acting provincial director of the Laguna Police Provincial Office (LPPO), announced on Monday the operations resulted in significant arrests and seizures of illegal substances. During anti-illegal drugs operations, officers arrested 50 individuals and confiscated 167.76 grams of suspected shabu and 0.9 grams of marijuana, with an estimated value of PHP1.14 million. In the fight against illegal gambling, police apprehended eight individuals involved in illegal numbers games (bookies) and 22 others engaged in various forms of illegal gambling, seizing PHP19,015 in bet money. The operations also led to the arrest of 11 most wanted persons and 45 other wanted individuals. Additionally, officers recovered nine loose firearms and arrested six people in connection with the campaign against illegal firearms. Police also conducted checkpoints and "Oplan Sita" operations, resulting in the arrest of 232 individuals for traffic violations and other offenses. They also apprehended 7,498 people for violating local ordinances. Unos praised the community's support, saying: 'The Anti-Criminality Operations of the Laguna PNP (Philippine National Police) continue to grow stronger with the help and support of our community. The people of Laguna can trust that the Laguna police will remain vigilant in preventing and suppressing criminality, ensuring order and peace for the province's development.' Source: Philippines News agency