BUTUAN CITY – The Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) bared on Tuesday the arrest of six Most Wanted Persons (MWPs) during a weeklong simultaneous Anti-Criminality Law Enforcement Operations (SACLEO) from May 12 to 18.
During the SACLEO, police also arrested 16 other wanted individuals involved in robbery, car theft, illegal drugs, statutory rape, and other criminal cases through the service of arrest warrants and follow-up operations.
“Among those arrested were the Top 6 MWP in the Caraga Region, wanted for four counts of statutory rape, and the Top 2 MWP in Agusan del Norte,” the BCPO said in its report.
It added that successful operations were conducted in various areas of Butuan City, Surigao City, and Davao del Norte through the coordinated efforts of various police units and partner agencies.
“These accomplishments reflect the organization’s continued commitment to intensifying manhunt operations and ensuring that wanted persons are brought before the court of law in line with its mandate to maintain peace and public safety,” BCPO Director Col. Richie Yatar said.
The BCPO also reported the arrest of three high-value individuals and eight street-level individuals in a series of anti-illegal drug operations over the week. Police confiscated 72.5 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated street value of PHP493,000 from the arrested suspects.
The suspects are now in police custody and will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
“The BCPO reaffirms its commitment to intensifying anti-drug operations and strengthening efforts against illegal drugs,” Yatar said.
He also encouraged the public to continue supporting law enforcement efforts by reporting illegal drug activities in their respective communities.
Yatar is the newly designated director of BCPO, having assumed his post on Friday. (PNA)