PRO3 MEETS AUGUST MANHUNT TARGET WITH 1,215 ARRESTS

BY KEVIN GALANG

CAMP OLIVAS, City of San Fernando, Pampanga — The Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) recorded 1,215 arrests of wanted persons in August, meeting its operational target following sustained intelligence-driven manhunt operations and the continued service of arrest warrants across Central Luzon

The final accomplishment, reported by the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division (RIDMD), represents an increase from the 1,082 wanted persons arrested from August 1 to 26, as police stations and operating units intensified their operations during the remaining days of the month.

PRO3 attributed the accomplishment to its “Own the Project” approach, which puts greater responsibility on Chiefs of Police to personally take charge of the manhunt against wanted individuals in their respective areas of responsibility.

Under the approach, police commanders are expected to strengthen intelligence gathering, closely coordinate with other law enforcement units and communities, identify the whereabouts of wanted persons, and ensure the timely and lawful implementation of outstanding warrants.

PRO3 director Brig. Gen. Jess B. Mendez said the August results demonstrate the importance of command responsibility and sustained police action in addressing pending cases.

“The 1,215 arrests show what we can accomplish when every unit owns its responsibility and delivers. But meeting the target does not mean the work stops here. We will sustain our manhunt operations because every warrant served brings a pending case forward and brings victims and their families a step closer to justice,” Mendez said.

He said the accomplishment should serve as a springboard for police units to further strengthen their operations instead of becoming complacent with the numbers already achieved.

The regional police office is expected to continue its intelligence-led operations against wanted persons, with police units coordinating with local communities and other government agencies to locate individuals with outstanding warrants.

The manhunt campaign is also being complemented by the JBM Patrol System, which seeks to enhance police visibility, community engagement and information gathering at the barangay level.

PRO3 said stronger police presence in communities can help improve the flow of information from residents to law enforcement personnel, particularly information that could assist in locating wanted individuals and preventing further criminal activity.

The sustained campaign forms part of the broader directive of PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. to strengthen police operations and deliver “Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman” to communities.

With the August target achieved, PRO3 said its police units will continue the manhunt campaign in the succeeding months, emphasizing that the arrest of wanted persons is not only about meeting operational figures but also about advancing cases through the justice system and providing relief to victims and their families.