943 DRUG SUSPECTS, 814 WANTED FELONS IN CENTRAL LUZON SENT TO JAIL IN JANUARY

BY KEVIN GALANG

CAMP CAPTAIN JULIAN OLIVAS, City of San Fernando, Pampanga —The Police Regional Office 3 under the leadership of PRO3 director Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio I. Peñones Jr. reported significant gains in its anti-crime and anti-illegal drug campaign across Central Luzon in January 2026 following the arrest of 943 drug suspects and 814 wanted felons and the seizure of more than P24 million worth of illegal drugs.

The PRO3s intensified manhunt operations resulted in the arrest of  814 wanted persons in January.

Of the number, 124 were classified as most wanted individuals, including 79 listed in the top 10 most wanted at the regional, provincial, and municipal levels, reflecting the region’s focused and intelligence-driven law enforcement efforts.

The region’s anti-drug campaign resulted in 659 operations that led to the arrest of 943 drug suspects, including 22 “high-value” individuals.

Police confiscated various illegal drugs, including 3,499.48 grams of shabu valued at P23,796,489.84; 1,229.20 grams of dried marijuana leaves worth P147,503.69; 144.894 grams of kush estimated at P217,341.60; and 43.733 tablets of ecstasy with an estimated value of P74,346.10. The total value of the seized illegal drugs amounted to P24,236,481.23.

Peñones attributed the accomplishments to disciplined police work, strong intelligence support, and the dedication of their personnel on the ground.

“These accomplishments are the result of focused operations, strong intelligence support, and the unwavering commitment of our police officers who continue to put public safety first in line with the PNP Focused Agenda of PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr.,” Peñones said.

“Every arrest and every illegal drug seized brings us closer to safer communities in Central Luzon,” he added.

The Central Luzon top cop emphasized that all police operations remain anchored on lawful procedures and strengthened by community cooperation, noting that crime prevention is most effective when law enforcement and the public work hand-in-hand.

Peñones assured the public that PRO3 will sustain and intensify operations against wanted persons, illegal drugs, and other forms of criminality in the coming months as part of its continuing commitment to peace, order, and public safety across Central Luzon.