4,186 drug personalities surrender; 228 arrested in Region 1

CAMP BGEN OSCAR M FLORENDO, San Fernando, La Union – With the implementation of “Oplan Tokhang” and intensified campaign on illegal drugs, a total of 4,186 drug personalities surrendered and 228 persons involved in illegal drugs were arrested in Region 1 from July 1 to July 12, 2016 following the assumption to office of President Rodrigo Duterte on June 30.

Police Chief Superintendent Ericson T. Velasquez, Regional Director of Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1), said the 4,186 drug personalities surrendered in various police stations while the 228 persons were arrested during the implementation of Search Warrants, Oplan Sita, buy-bust operations and police responses wherein most of suspects are illegal drug users and illegal drug pushers.

PCSupt. Velasquez disclosed that for the span of almost two weeks, 989 drug personalities surrendered in Pangasinan, 2,030 in La Union, 766 in Ilocos Sur and 401 in Ilocos Norte.

A total of 134 persons were arrested in Pangasinan, 31 in La Union, 25 in Ilocos Sur and 38 in Ilocos Norte. Seven drug personalities were also killed in separate armed encounters in Pangasinan during the implementation of anti-illegal drugs operations.

PCSupt Velasquez said, the number of surrendered drug personalities is increasing as many more signified their intention to surrender following house-to-house visitation of the Region 1 police in their respective areas of responsibilities.

The surrenderees signed individual pledge of commitment and vowed to stop their illegal activities and support the government’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs especially in clearing the region of illegal drug problem.

Under “Operation Tokhang” in Region 1, the police personnel had visited at least 2,659 houses. “TOKHANG” is derived from the Bisaya words, “toktok” and “hangyo” which means to knock and to request. ### (With Authority of PSInsp. Vanessa M. Gabot, OIC, RPIO PRO1)