The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported Tuesday the arrest of 35 most wanted individuals and the confiscation of illegal drugs and smuggled cigarettes valued at more than Php 69 million during a 24-hour operation from March 2 to 3, 2026.
The apprehended suspects face various charges, including murder, multiple murder, rape, statutory rape, qualified rape of a minor, sexual assault, qualified theft, syndicated estafa, and violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and the Illegal Possession of Firearms law.
Several of those arrested were listed as Top 1, Top 2, and Top 3 most wanted in their respective regions. They are now in police custody pending presentation before the courts that issued their warrants.
PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez praised the field units for coordinated efforts. He said the operations demonstrated that law enforcement continues to pursue individuals who commit crimes and that no one is beyond accountability.
Separate anti-drug operations led to the arrest of two high-value individuals in Caloocan City and Davao City. Authorities also seized illegal substances, including ecstasy, shabu, and marijuana, from urban buy-bust operations, plant eradication in Benguet, and intercepted inbound parcels in Parañaque City.
The total volume of seized drugs included thousands of fully grown marijuana plants, hundreds of grams of shabu, and several kilograms of ecstasy. All items were turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for proper disposition and case preparation.
In parallel, PNP units recovered smuggled cigarettes in Zamboanga City, Pampanga, and Zamboanga Sibugay worth over Php 31 million. The confiscated goods and detained suspects are now under the custody of local police while charges are being processed.
Nartatez emphasized that the PNP remains committed to dismantling drug syndicates and smuggling networks, noting that operations target both street-level dealers and major suppliers to protect communities and uphold the rule of law.