Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) seized PHP17 million worth of illegal drugs and arrested 13 Most Wanted Persons (MWPs) in separate police operations conducted on Nov. 4.
According to Philippines News Agency, acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. stated that a series of coordinated police operations by Police Regional Offices (PRO), Special Investigation Units, and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) led to significant arrests. The Top 1 Most Wanted Person of PRO9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) was captured in Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur, charged with murder. Meanwhile, in Metro Manila, police apprehended the region’s Top 2 Most Wanted, also for murder.
In Pampanga, authorities detained the Top 3 Most Wanted in the region facing non-bailable charges for car theft and robbery with homicide. In Bulacan, police served a warrant of arrest against the PRO3’s Top 4 Most Wanted for violating Sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Operations in Camarines Sur, Iloilo, Cebu City, Pangasinan, Batangas, Cavite, Quezon, Taguig City, and Misamis Occidental also resulted in the arrest of nine individuals listed as the Most Wanted in their respective areas, facing charges like rape and statutory rape. All arrested persons are under police custody for documentation and legal proceedings.
In Benguet, a checkpoint operation by the Bakun Municipal Police Station and the 1st Benguet Provincial Mobile Force Company intercepted a vehicle carrying 147.67 kilograms of dried marijuana leaves, valued at PHP17,720,000. The suspects attempted to evade police inspection but were pursued and arrested in a follow-up operation. The marijuana was discovered inside sacks and tubular packaging in the abandoned vehicle.
Nartatez praised the operating units for their successful operations, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to justice and public safety.
