Northern Mindanao cops seize P19-M contraband, net 126 drug pushers

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Police Regional Office-10 (PRO-10) seized around P19 million from alleged illegal activities and netted 126 suspected drug pushers in a span of about two weeks. Brig. Gen. Nestor Babagay Jr, newly installed PRO-10 director, shared the achievement as he marked 12 days in office during his first press briefing on Tuesday at Camp 1Lt. Vicente Alagar in Barangay Lapasan here. He sent a message to criminals that “they will not find any breathing room” in the region. READ: Cops net P138-M illegal drugs in Northern Mindanao “Our provincial and city directors are very good. These first days have set the direction for my leadership of PRO-10,” Babagay told reporters in mixed Filipino and English. He noted that consistent with the priority agenda of PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. and the directives of Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla Jr., PRO-10 will remain focused, visible, intelligence-driven, responsive, and accountable. “We will prioritize sustaining efforts to make Northern Mindanao peaceful,” Babagay said. Under the Enhanced Managing Police Operations framework, PRO-10’s anti-narcotics campaign chalked the biggest haul, confiscating 1,141 grams of suspected shabu valued at an estimated P7.7 million and arresting 126 drug suspects across 104 operations. Babagay said P6.7 million worth of suspected smuggled cigarettes and P4.4 million worth of equipment and minerals from alleged illegal mining activities were seized in just about two weeks. The region-wide campaign also curbed loose weapons and underground betting. Under Oplan Kontra Boga, police carried out 73 operations, arresting eight individuals and seizing 71 firearms. In contrast, 10 anti-illegal gambling operations resulted in 18 arrests and the recovery of P5,911 in proceeds and gambling paraphernalia. Manhunt operations accounted for 107 wanted individuals, including 32 classified as most wanted persons. On the counterinsurgency front, Babagay reported that five communist personalities surrendered, turning over three firearms to authorities. READ: Northern Mindanao cops join global hunt vs cross-border syndicates Babagay also highlighted urban order under the “Safer Cities Initiative,” which logged 10,030 ordinance violators, with 4,853 individuals fined and 4,897 issued warnings. He said that PRO-10 will maintain maximum visibility patrols, checkpoints, Oplan Bakal, Oplan Sita, Oplan Bandillo, and other area-specific policing interventions. According to him, only one of the 10 most wanted persons in the region has not been arrested./coa