Police arrested 16 wanted persons and seized illegal drugs and suspected smuggled goods valued at more than Php 55 million in operations conducted across the country within a 24 hour period, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Thursday.
The operations were carried out from 8 a.m. of March 4 to 8 a.m. of March 5 as part of intensified law enforcement activities targeting fugitives, drug trafficking, and illegal trade.
Among those arrested were several individuals listed in regional most wanted lists. Police apprehended a Top 2 most wanted person in Palawan who faces multiple charges of rape and violation of Republic Act 7610.
Authorities also captured a Top 3 most wanted person in Tarlac for alleged violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, as well as another Top 3 most wanted individual listed by the National Capital Region Police Office who was arrested in Eastern Samar for acts of lasciviousness.
Other wanted suspects ranked from Top 5 to Top 9 were arrested in separate operations in Oriental Mindoro, Leyte, Northern Samar, Palawan, Davao del Norte, and Quezon City. Additional fugitives were also captured in Taguig City, Laguna, Cavite, and Biñan City.
Police also intensified anti drug operations, leading to the arrest of seven high value individuals in buy bust activities in Iloilo and Albay. Authorities confiscated around 759 grams of shabu with an estimated value of more than Php 5.1 million.
Meanwhile, marijuana eradication drives in Benguet and Ilocos Sur led to the destruction and seizure of marijuana plants, seedlings, and dried stalks estimated to be worth more than Php 25 million.
In Pampanga, joint operatives implementing a Letter of Authority (LOA) issued by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) intercepted suspected smuggled footwear bearing the Crocs brand in Barangay Calantipe, Apalit, Pampanga. The shipment was estimated to be worth around Php 25 million.
PNP Chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez said they would continue pursuing individuals evading the law, stressing that each operation forms part of the campaign against criminality.