HANDCUFFED. Around 39 suspected drug pushers and users are caught in a simultaneous raid in Davao City by the combined elements of Davao City Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Crime Investigation and Detection Group on Wednesday morning. (Ace R. Morandante/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY – Authorities here conducted multiple search warrant operations in different areas of the city which resulted in the arrest of 39 suspects, including one minor.
Nine police stations under Davao City Police Office participated in the “Coplan Kaagapay” (Cooperation Plan Kaagapay) led by the Criminal Detection and Investigation Group (CIDG) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Wednesday morning. Police Regional Office 11 and the Maritime Police also joined the operation.
The operation targets groups and individuals involved in drug trafficking, illegal possession of firearms, gun for hires, and robbery and holdup criminal gangs.
Seven suspects were gunned down during the operation, however, the authorities have yet to conduct internal investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the killings.
CIDG Chief Benjamin Magalong said that this operation is a nationwide effort of the agency.
“As of today, OTBT (one-time-big-time) is still ongoing. This is actually a one week operation of the CIDG, but it is only in Davao City that we have a joint effort with the police regional office and PDEA,” said Magalong.
He added that the operating environment here is different because of the support coming from the local government units (LGUs) and from city mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
“The partnership from different law enforcement agencies is really good, as well as the support from the court and the the prosecutor’s office, he said.
“It’s very intense here. I wish we can do that (to other places). In fact, this is what I call one of the best practices in law enforcement,” he added.
He added that they have tried to conduct the same operation to other regions, “but the main issue is the support (from the government).”
Magalong also said that the OTBT operation entails “hundreds of thousands” in budget and “we cannot generate that amount in other regions.”
As of Wednesday, the authorities seized 13 firearms, two hand grenades, ten ammunitions, some 353 grams of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) valued at around P3.2 million, 73 grams of marijuana valued at around P73,000, and three motorcycles.
The San Pedro Police Station (PS2) recorded the highest apprehensions with 10, followed by the Sta. Ana Police Station (PS1) with nine, Talomo Police Station (PS3) with five and the rest were apprehended through buy-bust operations.(davaotoday.com)
