A NATIONWIDE anti-criminality campaign by the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday led to the arrest of 20 anti-crime targets, including 12 of the country’s most wanted persons, and the seizure of nearly P65 million worth of evidence, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said yesterday.
The top cop said the significant results reflect the PNP’s relentless push under its Focused Agenda, particularly in aggressive law enforcement, anti-illegal drugs operations, and the intensified campaign against organized crimes such as smuggling.
“Hindi tayo titigil. Ipinapakita nito na handa at determinado ang PNP na protektahan ang bawat Pilipino—mula sa mga fugitive hanggang sa drug at smuggling syndicates,” he said.
Twelve of the most wanted persons were facing non-bailable charges for rape and child exploitation.
One of them was a 43-year-old male resident of Badiangan, Iloilo wanted for three counts of violation of Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and listed as the 5th Most Wanted Person in Western Visayas.
Another was a 42-year-old man from Bauko, Mountain Province wanted for qualified rape and tagged as the 4th most wanted person in the province.
The 3rd, a 61-year-old man tagged as the 8th most wanted person in M’lang, North Cotabato was arrested for 3 counts of statutory rape.
Other key arrests included suspects wanted for multiple rape and sexual assault cases in Pangasinan, Laguna, Rizal, Batangas, Isabela, Negros Occidental, and Butuan City, including one fugitive identified as a Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILGs) Most Wanted Person at the national level.
“Kung nagtatago sila, mas lalo naming hahanapin. Walang lugar ang mga kriminal sa ating mga komunidad. Justice will catch up with them,” Nartatez said.
Police on Wednesday also confiscated some P14.4 million worth of shabu and marijuana and apprehended seven top anti-drug drug targets.
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