Police Regional Office 2 (PRO 2) Director PBGen Mariano C. Rodriguez marked his first 100 days in office with intensified anti-criminality operations and a reported 8.27-percent decline in focus crimes across Cagayan Valley.

Rodriguez assumed leadership of PRO 2 on May 1, 2026, under the Philippine National Police (PNP) Focused Agenda of PNP chief PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr.

PRO 2 said 244 focus crimes were recorded from 1 May 1 to 8 August, down from 266 cases between 21 January and 30 April, or 22 fewer incidents.

During the same period, police conducted 226 anti-illegal drug operations that led to the arrest of 281 suspects and the seizure of suspected illegal drugs, including 94.53 grams/kilograms of shabu, 1,257 grams of marijuana and 334.34 grams of cocaine, with a combined estimated value of P12.38 million.

Major operations included the seizure of 232.72 grams of shabu worth about P1.58 million in Tuguegarao City on 14 May; 212 grams of shabu from a high-value individual in Santiago City on June 6; and one kilogram of shabu valued at about P6.8 million during the service of a murder warrant in Alicia, Isabela, on 15 July.

The campaign against loose firearms resulted in 403 firearms recovered, confiscated or seized and 79 arrests. PRO 2 also accounted for 272 surrendered or confiscated firearms and processed 243 firearms with expired registration for accounting and disposition.

Overall, PRO 2 accounted for 515 firearms, with Isabela recording the highest number at 215, followed by Cagayan with 144, Nueva Vizcaya with 97, Quirino with 45 and Santiago City with 14.

Police also reported the arrest of the region’s top two most wanted persons. Alias “Benson,” who was facing two counts of murder, was arrested in Maddela, Quirino, while alias “Alvin” was apprehended in Calamba City, Laguna.

Other operations resulted in 309 arrests for illegal gambling, 100 arrests in anti-illegal logging operations, and the seizure of 42,867 board feet of illegally sourced forest products valued at more than P4.1 million.

Anti-smuggling operations led to nine arrests and the seizure of goods worth about P84.97 million, including 202 boxes of illicit cigarettes valued at an estimated P82.7 million intercepted in Cauayan City, Isabela.

PRO 2 also reported 49 arrests in 36 anti-illegal fishing operations, the recovery of 16 stolen vehicles in anti-carnapping operations, and six arrests and the recovery of eight cattle in anti-cattle rustling operations.

On June 4, Region 2 was declared “Insurgency-Free” and placed under a state of “Stable Internal Peace and Security.” PRO 2 also reported the recovery of firearms, explosives, ammunition and other war materiel believed to have been concealed by communist insurgents in several areas of Cagayan.

Personnel, resources and discipline

PRO 2 said it also strengthened resource management, personnel welfare and disciplinary measures during Rodriguez’s first 100 days.

The regional office has 10,001 personnel—675 police commissioned officers, 8,841 police non-commissioned officers and 485 non-uniformed personnel—equivalent to a police-to-population ratio of about 1:643.

The office reported additional funding for priority programs, operations and facility improvements, including new police stations and National Police Clearance buildings in Santiago City and Gamu.

For personnel welfare, PRO 2 reported 178,623 awards and medals, educational assistance for 65 dependents, and the promotion of 114 police commissioned officers and 225 police non-commissioned officers under the 2026 promotion program.

A total of 171 personnel completed mandatory career courses, while 824 participated in 17 regional training activities. PRO 2 also reported a 100-percent passing rate among 1,856 personnel who took the Physical Fitness Test.

On discipline, the office reported resolving 35 administrative cases involving 47 personnel. Thirty personnel were penalized, while 17 were exonerated or had their cases dismissed. PRO 2 said it maintained a 100-percent case resolution efficiency with no backlog.

The office also retained its ISO 9001:2015 certification and said its Regional Comptrollership Division ranked first among police regional office-level units in the Unit Performance Evaluation Rating.

PRO 2 likewise continued its community-oriented programs, including security and traffic assistance during Oplan Bisita Eskwela and activities for the 31st Police Community Relations Month.

Rodriguez credited police personnel, local government units, partner agencies and communities for the reported gains in peace and security.

“The success of our peace and security initiatives is a testament to the hard work and cooperation of our police personnel, local government units, partner agencies, and the communities we serve,” Rodriguez said.