Police operations across the MIMAROPA region led to the arrest of eight most wanted persons and five other wanted individuals on January 15, 2026.
Authorities said the arrests included the Top 1 and Top 2 Most Wanted Persons in the region. Both suspects were arrested in Rizal, Palawan in connection with rape cases and violations of Republic Act 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
Other arrests were carried out in Puerto Princesa City, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, and Bataraza, Palawan. The suspects face charges that include frustrated murder, carnapping, and other serious crimes.
All arrested individuals are now in police custody and will be presented in court for proper legal proceedings.
In a separate operation, a 38-year-old high-value individual was arrested after he allegedly sold shabu to a police officer who acted as a buyer during a buy-bust operation. Police seized 1.1 grams of suspected shabu worth nearly ₱7,500, along with the buy-bust money. The suspect will face charges for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.
In another operation, a 53-year-old man was arrested after operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency raided his house in Barangay Bancao-Bancao in the early hours of January 15.
Authorities confiscated about 3 grams of suspected shabu valued at more than ₱20,000, along with several drug paraphernalia.
The suspect and the seized evidence are now under the custody of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
