23/03/2026
10 MOST WANTED ARRESTED, PNP SEIZES P134-M ILLEGAL DRUGS AND CONTRABAND
The Philippine National Police (PNP) intensified nationwide operations over a 24-hour period from 8:00 AM, March 20 to 8:00 AM, March 21, 2026, resulting in the arrest of high-value wanted persons, confiscation of illegal drugs, and interception of smuggled goods.
Ten wanted individuals were apprehended for serious crimes. Arrests included a 46-year-old suspect for murder in Cebu City, a 25-year-old for kidnapping with homicide also in Cebu, a 29-year-old for carnapping in La Union, and a 40-year-old for multiple counts of statutory r**e in Surigao del Sur.
Others were arrested for r**e, statutory r**e, qualified theft, violations of RA 10883, and murder in Quezon, Rizal, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, and Malabon City. All are now under custody, with no bail recommended for the most serious offenses.
In anti-illegal drug operations, the PNP seized illegal substances worth a total of PhP113,803,000.00. In Benguet, 80 kilograms of dried ma*****na valued at PhP9,600,000.00 were recovered during eradication operations in communal forests.
Buy-bust operations in Camarines Sur and at NAIA Terminal 1 led to the arrest of Filipino suspects and a Malaysian national in possession of over 15 kilograms of suspected shabu valued at PhP104,203,000.00. All suspects and seized items are under proper custody for legal disposition.
In Maguindanao del Norte, PNP personnel intercepted 345 master cases of smuggled ci******es worth PhP20,182,500.00, along with the delivery truck used in the attempt. The suspect is now in custody for proper disposition.
Chief PNP Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. stated, “These results reflect the dedication and courage of our personnel nationwide. We act not just to enforce the law, but to protect our communities. Lahat ng ating hakbang ay para sa seguridad at kapakanan ng bawat Pilipino.”
These operations reflect the PNP’s commitment to its Focused Agenda under Enhanced Managing Police Operations, supporting President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s goal of safer communities, and advancing a Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat at Nararamdaman.
(PNP-PIO)