THE Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has apprehended 23 local government officials, including a mayor and a vice mayor, in a weeklong nationwide operations against organized crime and loose firearms.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Albayalde said that from March 22 to 28, a total of 168 people, including 23 local government officials, were arrested, while 137 firearms and 34 explosives have been confiscated.

Operations against loose firearms and organized crime groups have been intensified as part of security measures for the upcoming midterm elections.

Tubajon, Dinagat Island Mayor Romeo Vargas and Tagbina, Surigao del Sur Vice Mayor Antonio Adlao were among those arrested.

Also nabbed were one barangay council member, nine barangay chairperson, 10 barangay councilors, and one general service officer.

Albayalde said the operations stemmed from verified intelligence information the police received amid concerns that candidates may take advantage of the CIDG’s operation against their political rivalries.

“Lahat naman kasi ng sumbong sa atin, whether sasabihin nilang kalaban or kakampi, ‘yung pulis naman lahat ng binibigay na information sa atin ay vinavalidate ko nga at sabi ko nga kapag validated na totoo ‘yung information na yun, we conduct police operations,” he said.

(We validate all information we receive. Once validated, we conduct police operations.)

“We do not care kahit sino pa yun, whether incumbent or sinasabi nilang kalaban sa pulitika or hindi, wala sa amin yun. We do not care kung sino man yun basta lumalabag sa batas, we will implement the law,” Albayalde added.

(We do not care whether it's an incumbent official or a political rival. If they violate the law, we will implement the law.) (SunStar Philippines)