Baguio cops arrest 718 wanted persons

By Julie G. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY -- City police director Francisco Bulwayan bared they arrested 718 persons the past 11 months among others during last quarter City Peace and Order Council meeting at city hall.
    Bulwayan reported on police operational accomplishments January to November 2022.
    The CPOC, a reorganized body through an executive order by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, meets regularly to take on duties and functions as mandated by law to enhance peace and order.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong is chairman and presiding officer of the CPOC.
    During the forum, Bulwayan cited efforts of city, concerned citizens and offices in the arrest of 718; top wanted (199) and other wanted persons (519); in eleven months.
    The top wanted individuals are in the regional, city, provincial, municipal and police station levels.
     He also reported on 173 police operations against illegal drugs, from Jan. to Nov. 2022; with the arrest of 219 persons involved.
    All operations were done in coordination with other concerned offices, Bulwayan said, wherein 604.133 grams of Shabu, 9,314.172 grams of marijuana and 10 Ecstasy tablets were confiscated.
    A compounded estimate showed the prohibited items were worth P4,841,761.78 in the market.
    There were also 110 surrendered and six confiscated firearms as to RA 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act; CD Bulwayan reported.
    There were 106 operations conducted and 10 persons were arrested for violations.
    On illegal gambling (PD 1602), there were 19 operations done, 68 persons arrested and P20,668 bets confiscated.
    Operations against illegal logging was also done in January, April, September and November, CD Bulwayan reported; with the arrest of 12 persons and logs with an estimate worth of P120,542.  
    The truck ban or Ordinance 5, series of 2017 was also implemented, with 1,296 apprehensions, CD Bulwayan said.
    It was recorded that the highest number of trucks apprehended on prohibited city roads were on September, March and July followed by January and February.
    The ordinance regulates the use of streets in the city by heavy equipment vehicles, trailers, dump trucks and other freight trucks, with gross weight capacity of 4,500 kg. 
    According to Bulwayan, there were 59,539 traffic apprehensions from January to Nov. 30, 2022 with fines amounting to P30,811,510.
    Bulwayan said city police could help mitigate traffic woes in city streets through carpooling and no-car scheduled days.
    The good reasons to use public transport is the reduction of congestion in towns and cities, decrease of air pollution from vehicle exhaust, less expenses in owning and operating a private car, Bulwayan said.