Central Luzon police seize P26.7 million in drugs, arrest 1,000 in October

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — Police in Central Luzon confiscated illegal drugs worth P26.7 million and arrested 1,081 suspects in October, according to a report from the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3).

Authorities carried out 758 anti-drug operations across the region, seizing 3,803 grams of shabu, 6,512 grams of marijuana, and smaller quantities of kush and ecstasy tablets.

PRO3 also reported the arrest of 866 wanted individuals, including 223 classified as high-priority targets, and accounted for 290 firearms through seizures, surrenders, and safekeeping agreements.

Index crimes — including murder, robbery, and theft — dropped from 364 incidents in October 2024 to 249 this year. Regional Director PBGen Rogelio Peñones Jr. attributed the decline to intensified operations and community cooperation.

“These results reflect our focus on collaboration and disciplined enforcement,” Peñones Jr. said, though he acknowledged challenges in sustaining the downward trend.

Local officials have previously urged stricter anti-drug measures amid concerns about addiction rates in Central Luzon.