Police in Negros Oriental arrested more than 800 individuals in week-long enhanced operations across the province, an official said yesterday.

Lt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO), said a consolidated report from the various police stations showed that these individuals were arrested between October 29 and November 3 in simultaneous operations dubbed “Huli Days” in connection with the twin celebration of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

The NOPPO report said that during the period, 11 anti-illegal drug operations were conducted with 12 persons arrested and 62.84 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P427,000 confiscated.

For illegal gambling, 79 persons were arrested and P5,540 in bet money was confiscated in 27 operations.

Meanwhile, 27 operations on fugitives resulted in the arrest of 10 most wanted persons and 17 other wanted persons. Likewise, 28 operations on loose firearms yielded 30 confiscated or surrendered firearms.

A total of 700 persons were apprehended for violations of ordinances in the towns and cities.

Polinar said Oplan “Huli Days” is the fourth Simultaneous Anti-Criminality Law Enforcement Operations for October and is a “special directive by higher headquarters to ensure that the observance of Undas is peaceful amidst the influx of people returning to the provinces.”

While there were shooting and stabbing incidents during the Undas in Negros Oriental, these were not related directly to the religious celebrations, he added. (PNA)