The intensified efforts of various police units under the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) have resulted in the apprehension of 1,501 wanted persons in the first quarter of this year.

The figure, however, was a bit lower compared to the same period last year at 1,857, said PRO-6 spokesperson Lt. Colonel Arnel Solis.

“The accomplishment is attributed to the commitment and dedication of operatives on the ground and the support of their unit commanders,” Solis said.

He added that 267 were tagged as most wanted, while 1,234 were classified as other wanted persons.

“Most wanted persons are those facing heinous cases while other wanted persons are involved in minor cases,” he said.

The Negros Occidental Police Office (NOCPPO) achieved the highest arrests with 657, followed by Iloilo PPO with 299, and Bacolod City PO has 126. Iloilo City PO contributed 111; Antique PPO, 106; Aklan PPO, 82; Capiz PPO, 77; and Guimaras PPO, 31.

Other units, including the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, arrested nine and three from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 6.

Meanwhile, two separate sting operations conducted by the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) and the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) on Tuesday night, April 23, and early morning of Wednesday, April 24, in Barangay San Jose, Arevalo, Iloilo City, seized 390 grams of suspected shabu valued at over P2.65 million.

Collared were high-value individuals alias “Mico,” 33 years old, previously arrested in 2017 for a drug case but availed of the plea-bargaining agreement, and 36-year-old “Ryan,” a “Tokhang” surrenderee, all residents of Molo districts.

The suspects will be charged with a violation of Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (PNA)