SOME 71 persons wanted for different criminal offenses were arrested in the latest "Oplan Galugad" launched by the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo).

Of the 71, 19 were arrested for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, 13 have warrants of arrest, while the other 39 were arrested for violation of city ordinances.

Police Colonel Henry Dampal, Cocpo chief, said the city's police force conducted 51 operations from October 13 to 19.

The Oplan Galugad, he said, is mandated by the Philippine National Police (PNP) leadership "to flush out criminals and suspected members of terrorist groups planning to enter the city."

Dampal lauded the Cocpo personnel and the public for providing information leading to the arrest of the individuals.

For a region-wide perspective, crime incidents in Northern Mindanao have dropped to 6,893 cases in January 1 to June 30 of this year, a 12.09 percent decline compared to the recorded 7,841 crimes of the same period in 2018.

The Police Regional Office (PRO)-Northern Mindanao attributed the decrease in the total crime volume in the region to the massive conduct of various police operations and the implementation of Oplan Galugad throughout Northern Mindanao.