The Philippine National Police (PNP) has announced the arrest of 42 Most Wanted Persons (MWPs) and the seizure of over P68 million worth of illegal drugs in just three days, from 8 to 10 October. 

Among those arrested were several individuals listed as Top 1 to Top 10 MWPs, facing charges ranging from qualified rape and murder to human trafficking and syndicated estafa. These arrests were carried out under the PNP’s Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO), a key strategy aligned with the organization’s Focus Agenda.

In parallel anti-drug operations, police units nationwide arrested six drug suspects, including five classified as High-Value Individuals (HVIs) and one Street-Level Individual (SLI). Confiscated during the operations were P4.89 million worth of shabu (910.3 grams); P1.49 million worth of marijuana, including 1,300 fully grown plants, 100 seedlings, and 10,285 grams of dried leaves. 

Meanwhile, approximately 11.837 kilograms of cocaine, with an estimated street value of P62 million. 

The largest drug recovery occurred in the waters off Barangay Bagong Bayan, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, where fishermen and residents spotted suspicious packages floating at sea and immediately alerted authorities. 

Personnel from Police Station 3, in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Palawan, responded swiftly and recovered the cocaine.