Ang Pahayagan

PAMPANGA — The Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) recorded significant gains in its intensified manhunt campaign with the arrest of several Top Most Wanted Persons in separate police operations across Central Luzon on January 1, 2026, even as the region ushered in the New Year.

PRO3 units apprehended two (2) Regional Most Wanted Persons in Nueva Ecija, along with six (6) Provincial Most Wanted Persons and several municipal- and city-level fugitives in the provinces of Bataan, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija. The arrested individuals were facing charges for serious crimes, including rape, murder, qualified theft, and violations of dangerous drugs laws. All arrests were carried out by virtue of valid warrants issued by competent courts.

Police authorities said the successful operations highlight the effectiveness of sustained intelligence validation and focused law enforcement efforts under the Region’s intensified manhunt strategy. PRO3 noted that Regional Most Wanted Persons to have consistently been arrested within an average of nine (9) days, underscoring the efficiency of coordinated police action across provincial and local units.

Police Brigadier General Ponce Rogelio I. Peñones Jr., Regional Director of PRO3, emphasized that police service remains uninterrupted regardless of the season.

“While many were celebrating the New Year with their families, police work continues without pause. Our personnel remained on the ground, carrying out their duty. This reflects our firm commitment to ensure that individuals wanted by the law are located and held accountable at any time of the year,” Peñones said.

The holiday operations were conducted in line with the Philippine National Police’s Focused Agenda, particularly under Enhanced Managing Police Operations, and guided by PRO3’s 3Ps—Protect the People, Pursue Peace and Order, and Promote Professionalism.

PRO3 reiterated that manhunt operations against wanted persons will remain a top priority as part of its continuing efforts to maintain peace and order and ensure public safety across Central Luzon. The Regional Office likewise assured the public that police units will sustain relentless operations to deliver “Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman,” not only during holidays but throughout the year. (Jason de Asis)