The Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified nationwide operations to ensure public safety amid the commemoration of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days this week.

PNP Chief P/Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez said police efforts resulted in the arrest of 11 most-wanted individuals and the seizure of over ₱16.5 million worth of illegal drugs and smuggled goods within 24 hours.

“Let me be clear: criminality will find no safe haven under our watch,” Nartatez said.

“Our men and women in uniform are tirelessly working not just to enforce the law but to ensure that communities across the Philippines are safe, secure, and ready to celebrate this season without fear,” he added.

Between 10:00 p.m. on 30 October and 9:00 a.m. on 31 October, several PNP units across the country carried out a series of high-impact operations that led to the arrest of 11 wanted suspects for crimes including murder, rape, statutory rape, and acts of lasciviousness.

The suspects, aged 26 to 70, were arrested in separate operations across Baguio City, Tarlac, Albay, Cavite, Laguna, Surigao del Norte, and Agusan del Sur. The coordinated efforts of local police, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), and Army intelligence units underscored the PNP’s operational readiness and inter-agency cooperation.

In addition to the arrests, authorities achieved major breakthroughs in the campaign against illegal drugs and smuggling.

In Batad, Iloilo, police confiscated 150 grams of shabu worth P1,020,000. In Leganes, Iloilo, two high-value targets were caught with 330 grams of shabu worth P2,244,000. In Lucena City, Quezon, a buy-bust operation yielded 875 grams of shabu valued at P5,950,000.

Anti-smuggling operations also resulted in the seizure of premium moist tobacco, nicotine, and caffeine pouches worth P1,000,000 from a store in Makati City, and more than 634,000 smuggled baby diapers valued at P6,345,000 in Bustos, Bulacan, where a foreign national was apprehended.

In total, the PNP reported P16,559,000 worth of seized drugs and contraband.

As the nation observes the special non-working holiday, the PNP assured the public that security measures remain in full force to ensure safe and peaceful observances in cemeteries, transport hubs, and other public areas.

These latest accomplishments, the PNP said, form part of its Focused Agenda to enhance police operations and strengthen community partnerships—aligned with its vision of a “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong mabilis, tapat, at nararamdaman.”