A TOTAL of 2,260 wanted persons are now in jail as the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) intensified its effort against lawbreakers nationwide, the Journal Group learned.

PNP-CIDG director, Major General Romeo M. Camarat Jr. said he has ordered all 17th CIDG Regional Field Units to intensify the implementation of the CIDG Oplan: Pagtugis, the flagship campaign against wanted persons.

The official said that since the start of 2024, they have conducted a total of 2,255 manhunt operations which led to the arrest of key wanted persons.

He added that these manhunt operations likewise resulted in the recovery of 5 light weapons, 10 small arms, 2 explosive devices and 284 assorted live ammunition.

Cases for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Act of 2013 and RA 9516 or illegal possession of explosives were filed against the wanted persons, Caramat said.

According to PNP-CIDG spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Marissa Bruno, among the crime suspects with monetary reward captured by the PNP-CIDG were the following:

Alias ‘Eugene/Perno/Bogi/Apyot,’ listed as the 1st secretary of the Guerrilla Front Sendong of the CPP/NPA Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee. He was arrested in Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental last January 19. The accused, who carries a P4.8-million bounty on his head, is wanted for murder;

Alias ‘Vilma’ and one alias’ Joefry,’ both wanted for two counts of kidnapping with murder and were arrested last February 15 in Brgy. Silas, Imus City, Cavite.

Alias ‘Grace,’ wanted for big-time estafa; alias ‘Dodong,’ wanted for murder;

Alias ‘Donata,’ wanted for murder and captured last February 1 in Bgy. San Vicente in Dapitan City in Zamboanga del Norte;

And alias ‘Rhodel,’ a man wanted for an attempted murder case and arrested in Brgy. Tisa, Cebu City last February 9.

PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. has commended Caramant and his men for a job well done in fighting criminality.

Caramat, the PNP-CIDG further intensified its intelligence-driven operations to account for most wanted leaders of terror groups and criminal gangs.

In 2023, the PNP-CIDG conducted more than 12,000 anti-criminality operations which resulted in the arrest of nearly 14,000 individuals, the seizure of more than P10.3 billion worth of different crime evidence and the recovery of more than 1,600 illegal firearms.

The Unit also accounted for nearly 9,000 wanted persons including 583 criminal gang leaders and members; 176 wanted members of the New People’s Army, the Abu Sayyaf Group and other Southern Philippines-based terrorist groups; and 314 economic saboteurs.

Under its Oplan”Pagtugis, the Unit in 2023 conducted more than 8,600 operations which led to the capture of nearly 9,000 targets.

The PNP-CIDG’s stepped-up implementation of its Oplan: Paglalansag Omega or campaign against private armed groups and loose firearms led in the arrest of more than 1,200 suspects, seizure of nearly 2,000 illegal guns, over 37,000 live ammunition and nearly 500 explosives.

In 2023, the Unit conducted 220 operations which resulted in the arrest of 314 economic saboteurs and the confiscation of P10.2 billion worth of evidence under the CIDG’s Oplan: Megashopper, the campaign against smuggling, manufacturing, distribution and trading of counterfeit items and other products.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon