In line with the nationwide drive against crime, the city police urged burglars and robbers to surrender to authorities after hundreds of drug personalities have started to turn themselves in across the province.

City police chief Supt. George Vale said that the police force in the region is also focused on curbing other criminal activities, not just illegal drug trade.

He said that the order came from the new director of the Police Regional Office 7, Chief Supt. Noli Taliño who expressed his determination to mitigate the region’s crime rate.

The new regional police chief’s move is in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s vow to stamp out criminal activities in the country, he added.

According to Vale, theft and burglary are the leading crimes in the city next to illegal drug activities.

With the continuing surrender of drug personalities in the city, other self-confessed criminals have also turned themselves in at the city police station.

Vale noted that there some drug users who surrendered that are also theft suspects.

The police chief also issued a warning to criminals who refuse to surrender, saying that the authorities will go after them with the full force of the law.

Today is the deadline set by Vale for those involved in illegal activities in the city to turn themselves in.

Remaining criminals will be apprehended through police operations including drug busts, he said. (with reports from Allen Doydora)