■ MCPO RESEASES FIGURES REGARDING ITS ANTI-DRUG WAR SINCE JULY LAST YEAR

Since July 2016, the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) has seized more than P15 million worth of shabu as part of the Philippine National Police’s Oplan Double Barrel, Double Barrel Alpha and Double Barrel Reloaded. The MCPO has also arrested 1,373 drug personalities in 867 anti-drug operations since then. Most of the arrested persons, or 963, were drug users. The rest were drug pushers, said Senior Insp. Roberto Alanas, MCPO director. “For several years, we have been struggling with the problem of drug addiction in the community. It is always a public knowledge that with the presence of illegal drugs means the presence of all types of criminality in the community,” said Alanas.

The Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) has confiscated more than P15 million worth of shabu so far in the PNP’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs.

From July 2016 to Oct. 10 this year, the MCPO arrested 1,373 drug personalities in 867 anti-drug operations, following the launch of Oplan Double Barrel, Double Barrel Alpha and Double Barrel Reloaded.

Senior Supt. Roberto Alanas, director of MCPO, said that most of the arrested persons were identified as drug users at 963. The rest are drug pushers.

“For several years, we have been struggling with the problem of drug addiction in the community. It is public knowledge that the presence of illegal drugs means the presence of all types of criminality in the community,” said Alanas.

In a press statement, MCPO said the 27 barangays in Mandaue City are moderately affected

by the illegal drug problem, as shown by drug users and drug pushers living in the area.

Only seven barangays are now moderately affected, 19 are “slightly affected” and one barangay cleared from illegal drugs.

Of the 41 high-value drug personality targets who were arrested and neutralized, three were identified leaders of a big drug group in Mandaue.

Pablito Loberanes, leader of the Loberanes drug group, was arrested last Jan. 1 for traffic and drug violations. Six other members of the group were also arrested.

Loberanes died in an ambush after he posted bail in the Mandaue City Hall of Justice on Jan. 10.

Joel Almadin, 13 members of the Almadin Drug Group and 17 Sadaya Drug Group members were also caught in different police operations.

MCPO confiscated a total of 1,292.18 grams of shabu worth P15.247 million, 4.55 grams of marijuana and 57 firearms from the suspects. MCPO visited a total of 310,000 houses, which resulted in the surrender of 6,004 drug personalities.

“Because of this notable accomplishments, Mandaue City Police Office is a recipient of various awards from the higher headquarters being number 1 among the provincial and city police offices region wide in the PNP’s Project Tokhang and high value target of the PNP’s Double Barrel and Double Barrel Alpha,” Alanas said.

Pablito Loberanes, leader of the Loberanes Drug Group, was arrested last Jan. 1 for traffic and drug violations.