In a major pre-holiday offensive, the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) successfully confiscated illegal drugs valued at close to P20 million and arrested 245 suspects throughout the month of December 2025.
Month-Long Operation Targets Holiday Drug Surge
The intensive police campaign ran from December 1 to 31, 2025, strategically timed to coincide with the Christmas and New Year festivities. Authorities launched the operation based on intelligence indicating a potential rise in the demand for illegal substances during the celebratory season.
CCPO Chief, Police Colonel George Ylanan, personally directed his personnel to focus on individuals engaged in selling shabu. The goal was clear: to safeguard the city's security and uphold peace and order for all residents of Cebu City.
Breakdown of Arrests and Operations
According to official CCPO data, the 245 individuals apprehended in connection with drug-related offenses included:
- 23 high-value individuals (HVIs)
- 222 street-level individuals, including both drug pushers and users
The arrests were the result of multiple tactical approaches:
- 56 buy-bust operations were successfully conducted.
- 153 suspects
- 2 individuals were apprehended at security checkpoints.
Significant Haul and Dismantled Networks
The sustained operations yielded substantial results beyond the arrests. Police managed to dismantle several drug groups that had been operating across various barangays in Cebu City and in neighboring towns.
The contraband seized during the month includes:
- Over P19 million worth of shabu (methamphetamine).
- Four firearms, highlighting the often dangerous link between drugs and weapons.
Aligning with Regional Security Goals
Colonel Ylanan attributed the operation's success to the strategic guidance of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), led by Police Brigadier General Redrico Maranan. The crackdown directly supports PRO-7's overarching mission to maintain a peaceful, safe, and orderly region, a priority that becomes even more critical during the busy holiday period.
The CCPO's decisive action serves as a strong warning to drug syndicates and demonstrates the police force's commitment to protecting communities from the scourge of illegal drugs.
