• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Two police officers were honored by the Police Regional Office – Negros Island Region for their significant operational accomplishments, in connection with the confiscation of P40.1 million worth of illegal cigarettes in Negros Oriental on May 16 this year.
The Medalya ng Kagalingan was conferred by PBrig. Gen. Romano Cardiño, acting PRO-NIR chief, to PMaj Mac Arthur Avilla and PCpl Jefferson Omoyon, both assigned to the Regional Intelligence Division, for their successful intelligence-driven operation in Sitio Labugon, Barangay Nagbo-alao, Basay, Negros Oriental.
The operation resulted in the confiscation of approximately 700 master cases of illicit cigarettes valued at P40.11 million and the arrest of ten individuals for violations of Republic Act No. 10643, Republic Act No. 10863, and Republic Act No. 12022.
PLt. Richard Legada and Pat. Jurry Navarro, both assigned at the Bacolod City Police Office Drug Enforcement Unit, were also awarded with Medalya ng Kadakilaan for a successful buy-bust operation on May 19 at Purok Fatima, Islamic Center in Barangay 31, Bacolod City.
The anti-drug operation also led to the arrest of a High-Value Individual (HVI) drug personality and the confiscation of 4.1 kilos of suspected shabu with an estimated market value of P28.44 million.
In a separate anti-drug operation, PRO-NIR reported the arrest of another HVI drug personality at Purok Star Apple in Brgy. Cadawinon, Dumaguete City, on June 1, which also led to the seizure of about 100 grams of suspected shabu worth P680,800.*
