The Philippine National Police on Sunday reported the arrest of eight Most Wanted Persons and the seizure of more than P20.7 million worth of illegal drugs in focused operations conducted nationwide from 8 a.m. of 28 February to 8 a.m. of 1 March 2026.
PNP chief Police Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said those arrested included a Top 1 Most Wanted Person in Surigao del Sur facing four counts of rape with no bail recommended; a Top 3 MWP in Rizal wanted for acts of lasciviousness with P180,000 bail recommended; and a Top 4 MWP in Tarlac for violation of Republic Act 9165.
Two Top 7 MWPs were also arrested in Davao City and Zamboanga del Norte for rape and murder, while a Top 9 MWP was apprehended in Batangas for rape.
Two other regional-listed MWPs were arrested in Laguna and Quezon for sexual assault and murder cases. All were arrested by virtue of warrants and are now under police custody.
Simultaneously, anti-drug units intensified buy-bust operations and marijuana eradication drives.
In Parañaque City, authorities arrested a High-Value Individual with about 520 grams of shabu valued at P3.5 million. Another HVI was apprehended in Iloilo City with 150 grams of shabu worth P1.02 million.
In Taytay, Rizal, five suspects, including one HVI, were arrested in a joint operation that yielded around 500 grams of shabu valued at P3.4 million. One cohort remains at large.
In Lanao del Sur, three HVIs were arrested with approximately 388 grams of shabu worth P2.63 million.
Marijuana eradication operations in Benguet and Ilocos Sur led to the uprooting and destruction of about 20,800 fully grown marijuana plants and 50,000 grams of dried leaves, with a combined estimated value of more than P10.16 million.
In total, 10 drug personalities were arrested, six classified as High-Value Individuals and four as Street-Level Individuals. Authorities confiscated about 1,558 grams of shabu and dismantled large marijuana plantations, with a total standard drug price of P20.7 million.
Nartatez commended operating units for their swift and coordinated actions.
“Hindi hihinto ang PNP hangga’t hindi natin napapanagot ang mga patuloy na lumalabag sa batas. Whether wanted for heinous crimes or involved in illegal drugs, we will find you and we will arrest you.”
He said the accomplishments reflect strengthened intelligence coordination and effective ground operations.
“These results show that our focused operations are working. We are going after the most wanted individuals and high-value drug personalities with precision and determination.”
The operations are aligned with the PNP Focused Agenda under Enhanced Managing Police Operations, aimed at reinforcing accountability, operational excellence and community safety.