Central Visayas police awarded for operations against illegal drugs

PRO-7 country’s best

Chief Supt. Prudencio Banas shows the trophy and streamer given to the Police Regional Office 7 as best police regional office in the country. (CDN PHOTO/ APPLE TAAS)

The Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) was named  the best regional unit nationwide for its campaign against organized crime groups which yielded the most number of drugs and firearms confiscated and suspects arrested.

Chief Supt. Prudencio Bañas received the trophy and  streamer  from President Benigno Aquino III during the 114th Police Service Anniversary held in Philippine National Police (PNP) Headquarters in  Camp Crame last week.

Bañas told Cebu Daily News it was the first time that the regional police unit was recognized for its intensified efforts and campaign against illegal drugs and loose firearms.

“Only  PRO-7 received the award for its campaign against organized groups among the 17 regional offices. This will bring a lot of pride to our Visayas policemen,” he said in Cebuano.

In turn, Bañas  said he plans to  award deserving personnel  in the anti-crime  campaign  with the Medalya ng Papuri.

This year,  PRO-7 was able to conduct 2,562 anti-illegal drug operations where  3,231 drug personalities were arrested, with more than 3,000 cases filed  in court.

Suspected illegal drugs worth P120,855,418 were also seized throughout the region during its intensified campaign.

Bañas said the campaign used a  five-point strategy.

This   involved supply reduction,  demand reduction, internal cleansing, a legal offensive strategy and  domestic and international cooperation.