In a three-day intensive operation that netted hundreds of other violators of laws and local ordinances, police officers in Negros Oriental province were able to arrest 19 drug personalities.

According to a consolidated achievement report provided by Col. Reynaldo Lizardo, provincial police director, a total of 22 anti-illegal drug operations were conducted during the period, resulting in the arrest of two "high-value individuals" and 17 "street-level individuals," all of whom were on the police's list of suspected drug personalities.

The suspects were arrested with 39.46 grams of suspected shabu, with an estimated street value of PHP260,000.

In addition, 95 people were arrested for illegal gambling, with 11 still at large, and 57 operations against loose firearms resulted in the confiscation of 59 firearms and the arrest of two people.

According to the report, seven most wanted persons and 86 other wanted persons were apprehended during the execution of warrants of arrest.

In addition, under Oplan Katok, a total of 15 firearms were voluntarily surrendered to police for safekeeping pending compliance with licensing and permit requirements.

Lizardo told the Philippine News Agency late Tuesday that the province's simultaneous anti-criminality operations from February 25 to 27 will continue.

He was referring to the separate but linked shooting incidents in Valencia Town involving the incumbent mayor's brother, a Danish national, his estranged wife, and his alleged girlfriend, as well as the gun slayings of a police officer, a jail guard, and a civilian in Bayawan City.

To investigate these shootings, special investigation task groups have been formed with other uniformed services on board.