KIDAPAWAN CITY (MindaNews / 1 May) – At least 139 individuals facing criminal cases were arrested when the Cotabato provincial police launched last week its province-wide operation dubbed “Huli-Week.”
“Huli” is Filipino term for “arrest.”
Supt. Bernard Tayong, spokesperson for the Cotabato Police Provincial Office (CPPO), said that of the 139 they arrested from April 23 until April 30, eight were considered as among the most wanted; 35 were wanted persons whose cases include simple theft and robbery; and 36 were caught “in flagrante delicto” or caught in the act of committing an offense.
Tayong said that of the arrests, one died during an anti-drug operation in Kabacan town when the suspect resisted arrest.
He added that most of those arrested without warrants were involved in illegal gambling like “cara y cruz” and “tong-its.”
In all of North Cotabato, the Kidapawan City PNP registered the highest number of arrests with 35 individuals; Midsayap and Pigcawayan with 12 each; and Kabacan with 11.
The campaign would be intensified this May and in the coming months, Tayong added.
“Each of us at the police station or headquarters is tasked to make an arrest of individuals involved in illegal activities. Also, citizens can arrest individuals they caught doing an illegal act,” Tayong explained.
He said that while they are doing the operation, they will ensure that the suspects’ human rights are respected, adding, “We are all professionals. And we know our job well.”
The operation “Huli-Week” was introduced to the regional PNP by its newly appointed director, Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales. (Malu Cadelina Manar / MindaNews)