Southern Leyte anti-crime operations net 62 suspects in 2 weeks

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Feb. 20 (PNA) -- Following the nationwide suspension of anti-illegal drug operations, the Southern Leyte Provincial Police Office focused in anti-criminality campaign resulted to the arrest of 62 suspects of various offenses.

Southern Leyte police community relations chief Insp. Ariel Nuñez said from Feb. 3 to Feb. 18, the province accounted 27 total arrests of wanted persons for different crimes.

Also, the entire province strictly imposed common violated laws for which they were able to arrest 20 suspects of illegal gambling, four of illegal fishing, five of illegal logging and filed six cases against petty crimes such as theft and robbery.

Early this month, the Philippine National Police (PNP) shifted its focus to anti-criminality drive after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered them to stop participating in the war on drugs to pursue internal cleansing.

The PNP has been focusing on preventing and solving seven crimes - murder, homicide, theft, robbery, physical injuries, car and motorcycle theft, and rape.

The Southern Leyte police field office, led by provincial director Senior Supt. Warren de Leon, encouraged the public to continuously support their efforts in achieving peace through information and education campaign and the use of social media.

Southern Leyte, which occupies the southern quarter of Leyte island, is subdivided into 18 towns and one city with a total population of 421,750.(PNA)
JMC/SQM/ELVIE ROMAN ROA