Nearly 500 individuals were arrested in Central Visayas during a three-day anti-crime operation from June 26 to 29, 2026, as part of the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) Safer Cities Initiative led by Police Regional Office Central Visayas (PRO 7).
Drugs and Firearms Seized
Authorities confiscated 2,380.13 grams of shabu valued at over P16.1 million from those arrested. In the anti-illegal drugs campaign, PRO 7 apprehended 211 drug personalities. Meanwhile, 27 individuals were arrested for loose firearms, and 81 unlicensed firearms were confiscated, including 11 voluntarily surrendered after license expiration, along with 153 rounds of ammunition.
Wanted Persons and Illegal Gambling
PRO 7 intensified implementation of court-issued warrants, resulting in the arrest of 10 most wanted persons and 70 other wanted individuals. Operations against illegal gambling led to 172 arrests for illegal numbers games, card games, and hantak.
Police Commitment
Police Brigadier General Arnold Abad, chief of police in Central Visayas, commended personnel for sustained operations. “Our sustained law enforcement operations reflect PRO 7’s unwavering commitment to the DILG’s Safer Cities Initiative by aggressively targeting illegal drugs, loose firearms, wanted persons, and illegal gambling. These accomplishments demonstrate that we will continue to pursue criminals relentlessly and ensure that our communities remain safe, peaceful, and secure for every Central Visayan,” Abad said.
Arrested individuals are in police custody facing charges, and seized drugs have been submitted to the PNP Regional Forensic Unit for examination. PRO 7 assured the public its anti-criminality campaign will continue.
