Photo courtesy of Philippine National Police/Facebook
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday that the security situation in the MIMAROPA region has shown improvement as 40 individuals linked to armed groups have returned to the fold of the law since October 2025.
Police Regional Office MIMAROPA reported that from October 6, 2025 up to the present, the personalities were either arrested in operations or voluntarily surrendered in different parts of the region.
Of the total, 36 surrendered peacefully while four were apprehended during law enforcement activities, with some of them previously included in monitoring records.
PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez said the development indicated the impact of sustained police presence, intelligence driven operations, and coordination with local stakeholders.
He noted that the progress resulted from continuous engagement efforts on the ground that focused not only on enforcement but also on dialogue and community trust building.
The police chief said each surrender opened opportunities for reintegration and positive change for the individuals, their families, and their communities.
The PNP added that surrenderers undergo documentation and are referred to government reintegration programs in coordination with partner agencies for assistance and livelihood support.
Authorities urged families, local officials, and residents in MIMAROPA to continue supporting peace initiatives, stressing that public cooperation remains essential in maintaining community safety and long term stability.
