PNP in Eastern Visayas arrests over 1,300, seizes P20.7-M contraband

TACLOBAN CITY — The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) arrested 1,337 law violators and confiscated contraband worth P20.7 million during 1,260 law enforcement operations conducted across Eastern Visayas in June 2026, police officials reported.

According to PRO-8, the operations covered anti-illegal drug campaigns, anti-insurgency efforts, the arrest of wanted persons, anti-smuggling drives, environmental law enforcement, and crackdowns on illegal firearms and gambling.

Anti-illegal drug operations accounted for 98 operations, resulting in the arrest of 123 drug personalities. Police seized 1,645.01 grams of “shabu” (crystal meth) and 8.29 grams of marijuana with a combined estimated value of P11.19 million.

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Police also reported that 18 members of the New People’s Army(NPA) surrendered during anti-insurgency operations. Authorities recovered eight firearms and five explosives from the operations.

Under its intensified manhunt campaign, PRO-8 arrested 509 wanted persons, including 75 listed as most wanted and 434 facing various criminal charges.

In anti-smuggling operations, police conducted 15 operations against cigarette smuggling, leading to the arrest of one suspect and the seizure of 25 packs and 87 reams of smuggled cigarettes valued at P97,870.

Two anti-petroleum smuggling operations also resulted in the arrest of three individuals and the confiscation of nine containers of petroleum products worth P71,792.

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As part of environmental law enforcement, PRO-8 carried out 284 operations against illegal fishing, leading to the apprehension of 436 violators. Authorities confiscated fishing equipment worth P8.61 million and fish catch valued at P140,300.

Police also conducted 62 anti-illegal logging operations that resulted in the arrest of 24 individuals and the seizure of 12,250.57 board feet of illegally sourced lumber with an estimated value of P554,689.97.

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To curb the proliferation of loose firearms and explosives, PRO-8 conducted 202 operations that resulted in the confiscation, surrender, and recovery of 213 firearms.

Meanwhile, police launched 90 anti-illegal gambling operations, leading to the arrest of 243 individuals and the confiscation of bet money amounting to P34,656.

PRO-8 regional director Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy credited the operating units for sustaining law enforcement efforts across the region.

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“The accomplishments of our operating units demonstrate PRO-8’s strong commitment to maintaining peace and order across Eastern Visayas. We will continue to strengthen our intelligence-driven and sustained law enforcement operations to ensure that offenders are brought to justice and our communities remain safe and secure,” Capoy said. /das