A successful Philippine National Police (PNP) campaign against wanted persons and loose firearms contributed to a generally peaceful situation in 2023, the Journal Group learned.

A report sent to PNP chief General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. said that from January 1 to December 31, 2023, a total of 72,878 wanted persons were arrested while another 60 armed suspects were killed in police operations.

A total of 383 crime suspects surrendered to the police.

In the campaign against loose firearms, police arrested 9,102 suspects and seized a total of 29,103 assorted guns as they intensified the crackdown on illegal weapons.

Another 16,972 firearms with expired licenses and permits were also turned in by their owners/possessors to the police for safekeeping during the period.

A total of 5,966 criminal charges for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013 were filed against arrested offenders.

The PNP Intelligence Group headed by Brigadier Gen. Romeo G. Macapaz last year neutralized 122 members of Local Terrorist Groups through Coplans (Case Operational Plans) launched as a result of intelligence packets developed by its Regional Intelligence Units and Operating Divisions.

The same period also saw the PNP hiking its campaign against Communist Terrorist Groups leading to the neutralization of 1,361 individuals, including high-ranking communist leaders and members.

Those accomplishments were made as the Unit fully supported the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict.

In the campaign against Anti-Criminality, the PNP was able to neutralize 998 crime suspects, 20 of them subject to monetary reward amounting to P3,455,000.

Those operations also proved that there is really no place to hide for the country’s most wanted persons.

The PNP-Intelligence Group (IG) also arrested 20 criminals with a total of P4.055 million reward offered on their heads.

It also accounted for 128 criminal gang members; 79 private armed group members; 214 illegal drug personalities; 101 holders of illegal guns; and 23 illegal gambling personalities.

Records likewise showed that a total of 1,877 persons wanted for various criminal offenses have been hauled to jail while applying for police clearance from 2018 to 2023.

According to PNP Director for Investigation and Detective Management Major Gen. Eric Noble, the National Police Clearance System (NPCS) really accomplished a milestone since it was launched in 2018.

Since then, the system has enabled the police to apprehend 1,877 persons with warrants of arrest for various cases such as murder, theft and rape.

Long described as a cutting-edge initiative to bolster law enforcement efforts in the Philippines, the NPCS has proven its efficacy in identifying and apprehending individuals with arrest warrants.

The proactive measures launched by the PNP last year contributed to the reduced crime volume, said PNP spokesman Colonel Jean S. Fajardo.

Official records from the DIDM’s Crime Information Reporting and Analysis System showed that during the 1st 10 months of 2023, there were a total of 31,864 crimes against persons and property, which is 2,383 incidents lower than the same period last year.

The sharp reduction was attributed mainly to the PNP’s intensive crackdown against criminality and effective police-community partnership.

“These astounding figures serve as undeniable proof of the effectiveness of the PNP’s law enforcement initiatives,” said Acorda.

The comprehensive report not only focused on the decline in various crime categories but also sheds light on the PNP’s operational achievements throughout the period.