Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) units arrested several high-profile fugitives across Central Luzon on New Year’s Day, underscoring the police force’s continued operations through the holiday period.

In a statement issued from Camp Olivas in Pampanga, PRO3 said Jan. 1 operations in Bataan, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija resulted in the arrest of two Regional Most Wanted Persons and six Provincial Most Wanted Persons, along with other local fugitives.

Those apprehended are facing charges ranging from rape and murder to qualified theft and drug-related offenses. Police said all arrests were carried out by virtue of valid warrants.

PRO3 data showed that Regional Most Wanted Persons are now being arrested in an average of nine days, a development the command attributed to improved intelligence gathering and focused manhunt operations that continued despite the holidays.

“Police service doesn’t pause for celebrations,” said PBGEN Ponce Rogelio I. Peñones Jr., PRO3 regional director. “Our team’s dedication ensures those who evade the law are held accountable, 365 days a year.”

The operations are part of the Philippine National Police’s Enhanced Managing Police Operations agenda and PRO3’s 3Ps framework: Protect the People, Pursue Peace and Order, and Promote Professionalism.

Peñones said PRO3 will continue prioritizing manhunt operations as part of its push for responsive and credible public safety across the region.