Two hundred twenty-nine individuals were arrested in the city in the weeklong police operation against all forms of criminality.
The Police Regional Office 11, through the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) headed by Sr. Supt Alexander Tagum, netted the suspects in its drive against illegal drugs, wanted persons, Oplan: RAT Tugis (thefts and robbers) and other forms of crimes from Jan. 24 to Feb. 1.
Chief Supt Marcelo Morales, the regional police director, said they conducted 35 buy-bust operations that resulted to the death of two drug pushers who shot it out with operatives in gunfights, and the arrest of 34 others.
Those killed were identified as Al Shierav Salih Ahmad and Joselito Marcos, alias Tatay Amay.
They seized a total of 119.95 grams of shabu with an estimated market value of P1.4 million.
Morales said the top accomplishment on the illegal drug operation was the arrest of the alleged drug courier in the city jail. The suspect, Jovelyn Urot Saballa, 22, of Barpa, Barangay San Antonio, Agdao District, was arrested in front of the city jail in Purok 28, Barangay Ma-a, Talomo District on Jan. 24.
Police seized two large sachets suspected to contain shabu with an estimated market value of P1 million from the suspect, considered as a high value target (HVT).
Morales said the arrest of Saballa will reduce the drug trade in the city.
In the campaign against wanted persons, police arrested 66 in 58 operations. Most of them have serious offenses pending before the court.
The DCPO, with the assistance of other agencies, has been conducting Oplan Dabaw Kalinaw, a joint security and community service and protection operation, that, among others, aimed to arrest wanted persons and fugitives hiding in urban poor areas.
In the operation against Robbery, Akyat Bahay, Theft, Snatching (R.A.T.S), DCPO arrested four suspects in four conducted operations.
Marcelo said the OPLAN: RAT Tugis aimed to make the city the most dangerous place for criminals and terrorist but the most peaceful place for its peace-loving residents.
Per DCPO, robbery cases dropped by 28.14% — from 725 to 521 – in 2018 compared to 2017. Theft cases also went down by 27.73%, from 1,237 to 894 in the same period.
In other crime cases, the city police conducted 50 operations and response that led to the arrest of 125 persons. These include stabbing, alarm and scandal, illegal gambling, illegal possession of deadly weapon, violation of election code, falsification of public document, corruption of public official, physical injury, malicious mischief and selling and possession of volatile substance.
Police operatives also killed a suspected carnapper identified as William Milana, 36, a resident of Crossing Highway, Town Site, Brgy. Zone 2, Sta. Cruz, Davao Del Sur. Milana allegedly carnapped a dark gray Toyota Hi-lux, bearing plate No. KDV-769, and zoomed towards Barangay Binugao, Toril District. Police claimed the suspect fired at them when he was cornered, prompting them to retaliate.
Morales commended the DCPO – Tagum and all his men — for the remarkable contribution to the peace and order in the city.
“The records are very apparent that our police are diligently serving their purpose. This is a clear manifestation that our enhanced police operations indeed paid off,” he said.
“Rest assured that we will continue the momentum and gains of our campaign against crimes, illegal drugs, and corruption so that we will all enjoy lasting peace and security on this (place) called ‘The Land of Promise,’” the police regional director added.
Morales also thanked the support of the local government, headed by Mayor Sara Duterte.
Last week, the city government gave 12 motorcycles to the DCPO for its additional mobility.
