TACLOBAN CITY – Police arrested 41 wanted persons, including three most wanted individuals, in separate operations across Eastern Visayas during a regionwide warrant drive on Saturday, Sept. 26.
The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) said the simultaneous “Warrant Day” operations were conducted by police units in the region, resulting in the arrest of three Most Wanted Persons (MWPs) and 38 Other Wanted Persons (OWPs).
Among those arrested was the top provincial most wanted person in Biliran, who is facing rape and statutory rape charges with no bail recommended. The suspect was arrested in a joint operation by the Biliran Provincial Intelligence Unit and Pasay City Police Sub-Station 3.
In Tacloban City, personnel of the Special Intelligence Unit of Police Station 3 arrested the city’s second most wanted person, who is facing two counts of attempted murder. Bail for the offenses was set at P120,000.
In Palo, Leyte, operatives from the Palo Municipal Police Station, Leyte Provincial Intelligence Unit, Tacloban City Police Station 2 and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Team-Regional Intelligence Unit 8 arrested the municipality’s seventh most wanted person for alleged acts of lasciviousness. Bail was set at P108,000.
The 41 arrested persons were brought to the respective operating units for documentation and proper legal disposition.
PRO-8 Regional Director PBGen Romano V. Cardiño said the operation was part of intensified efforts to locate and apprehend individuals with standing warrants while ensuring that police operations are conducted in accordance with the law and with respect for human rights.
“Warrant Day is a clear manifestation of our resolve to uphold the rule of law,” Cardiño said.
He said PRO-8 would continue to intensify its efforts to locate wanted persons in line with the directives of PNP Chief PGen Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. and the regional police office’s enhanced police operations in Eastern Visayas.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
