MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) arrested nine regional most-wanted persons, including three individuals ranked No. 1 in their respective regions, during separate nationwide operations conducted from October 9 to 10, 2026.
PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the arrests were part of intensified efforts to enforce outstanding arrest warrants and bring wanted individuals before the courts.
Among those arrested was Eastern Visayas’ No. 1 most-wanted person, who was apprehended in Ormoc City, Leyte, for two counts of rape, with no bail recommended.
In Mimaropa, police arrested the region’s top-ranked most-wanted person in Taytay, Palawan, for murder, also with no bail recommended.
Meanwhile, Calabarzon’s No. 1 most-wanted person was apprehended in Quezon City for three counts involving robbery with homicide and murder. No bail was recommended for the charges.
Police also arrested Bicol Region’s No. 2 most-wanted person in San Pedro City, Laguna, for murder, while Calabarzon’s No. 5 most-wanted person was captured in Pagbilao, Quezon, for four counts of qualified rape of a minor and one count of attempted qualified rape.
In Soccsksargen, the region’s No. 4 most-wanted person was arrested in Koronadal City, South Cotabato, for seven counts of qualified rape and two counts of sexual assault.
Another suspect, ranked No. 8 in Bicol, was apprehended in Sorsogon City for three counts of rape.
In Oriental Mindoro, police arrested Mimaropa’s No. 8 most-wanted person in Victoria for statutory rape, with no bail recommended.
Authorities also captured Central Visayas’ No. 10 most-wanted person in Badian, Cebu, for two counts of violating Republic Act No. 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
The PNP said the operations involved personnel from local police stations, provincial and regional intelligence units, mobile force companies, and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG).
All nine arrested individuals were placed under the custody of the appropriate police units for legal proceedings.
“These operations demonstrate our determination to pursue wanted individuals and enforce arrest warrants wherever they may be found. We will ensure that law enforcement efforts remain grounded in due process and respect for the rule of law,” Nartatez said.
“Hindi dapat makaiwas sa batas ang sinumang may kinakaharap na kaso. Paiigtingin natin ang paghahanap sa mga wanted person upang maiharap sila sa hukuman at mapanagot alinsunod sa batas,” he added.
The police chief said the nationwide operations form part of the PNP Focused Agenda, particularly the Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO), which aims to strengthen the enforcement of arrest warrants and the apprehension of wanted individuals.
The PNP reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying operations against wanted persons while ensuring that law enforcement activities comply with established legal procedures and uphold the rule of law.
