LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (PIA) - - The Police Regional Office – Cordillera (PRO- Cor) reported a successful campaign against illegal drugs in 2023,  and assured a sustained  relentless drive this year.
 
PRO – Cor Regional Director Major Gen.  David Peredo Jr. reported during a recent media forum  that the different police  units in the region have conducted a total of 581 anti – illegal drug operations  that resulted in the confiscation  of around P4.6 billion-worth of illegal drugs  mostly marijuana and shabu in 2023.

The campaign also led to the arrest of 282 pushers, 63 users, and  one marijuana cultivator.

Peredo  said the  PRO-Cor will sustain the  relentless campaign against illegal drugs this year making it their priority, along with operations against the possible threat of terrorist groups and
 prevention of violent incidents in Cordillera communities.

In terms of peace and order, PRO – Cor Deputy Director for Operations PColonel   Elmer Ragay reported  lower crime volume in 2023 compared to 2022 figures with the average index monthly crime rate down from 3.65 percent per 100,000 population (in 2022) to 3.05 percent in 2023.

PRO – Cor also reported significant accomplishments in the campaign against high value and street level individuals, anti – illegal gambling, anti – illegal logging and loose firearms, as well as on the issuance of arrest warrants to wanted individuals.

 Meanwhile, Peredo affirmed PRO-Cor’s support to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call for Bagong Pilipinas brand of governance. He  assured enhanced delivery of police service from all the units of the PNP in the  Cordillera.

He shared that they had their oath of commitment and pinning of Bagong Pilipinas pin during the Bagong Pilipinas pre – launching  on  January 24.

Peredo, along with  Ragay, PRO – Cor Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15 commander Col Ruel Tagel, Bureau of Fire Protection Regional Director FSSupt Robert Pacis, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Regional Director Kenneth Bid-ing and Joint Task Force Group Baguio Executive Officer Lt.Col. Dominador Valerio of the Philippine Army, re-affirmed their support to the   Bagong Pilipinas during the kapihan forum on Jan. 30. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)I