Abinader urges 70 wanted fugitives to surrender
President Luis Abinader said the Government’s mission is to “guarantee” the country’s social peace and that the police will continue search-and-capture operations against those with multiple criminal records.
When approached by the press after presiding over the inauguration of the Ana Josefa Puello Primary School in the Cancino Adentro sector, the president reiterated his call for those with arrest warrants who have been identified by the authorities to turn themselves in, while affirming that the Government will continue strengthening the capabilities of the National Police to guarantee the safety and tranquility of Dominican families.
“What this nation wants is to live in peace and tranquility, and for its children to go home safely without being bothered. This country wants peace; the vast majority of its people are good, hardworking, and serious, and that is what most of them want. The Government is here to guarantee that peace, and we will guarantee it,” Abinader stated.
The president’s statements come hours after the National Police indicated it has 53,877 outstanding arrest warrants, with some 73 people having multiple records.
“To those with extensive criminal records, which I believe number around 70, and who are considered highly dangerous, we repeatedly urge them to surrender. Teams are searching for them. This group of criminals with arrest warrants should turn themselves in; the authorities have already located them and are looking for them,” Abinader stated.
He also noted that these individuals are being given “the opportunity to surrender”; he further emphasized the public’s support for the National Police’s actions to strengthen security, saying most Dominicans aspire to live in peace, work, and carry out their activities in tranquility.
During the last few weeks, the public spotlight has been dominated by the debate about the actions of the National Police, who, through various press releases, have reported that around 30 “alleged criminals” have been killed during “exchanges of gunfire”.
According to information provided by the authorities, through various press releases, these individuals, described as “known criminals,” died after confronting police units and the police “responding to these attacks.”
Just this Thursday morning, the Vice President of the Dominican Republic, Raquel Peña, assured that citizens who commit a criminal act must “be held accountable for the consequences.”
“I don’t know if I would call it a heavy hand; we have to guarantee social peace and the security of all Dominican citizens,” Peña said.
