ELEVEN “most wanted persons” (MWPs) in Southern Mindanao were arrested by agents of the Police Regional Office 11 (PRO11) in separate anti-crime operations since Friday last week, a report to Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. said.

PRO11 Director Brig. Gen. Benjamin H. Silo Jr. said that one of the suspects was arrested in Mati, Davao Oriental, was raided by the local police on the strength of a search warrant for violation of Republic Act 10591or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013 on Thursday.

The warrant issued by Judge Semiramis Bituin Castro of the Mati City Regional Trial Court (RTC) was used by officers in conducting the search, which led to the confiscation of one caliber .22 rifle, five improvised rifles, a 12-gauge shotgun, and over 50 assorted l live ammunition.

Silo said that a 2nd suspect was also placed under arrest after a search of his residence led to the recovery of an improvised rifle, a caliber .45 semi-automatic pistol with 15 live ammunition, and four live shotgun bullets.

A 3rd suspect, tagged as the 9th MWP in Maco, Davao de Oro was arrested based on a non-bailable warrant of arrest for murder issued by Judge Arlene Palabrica of the Tagum City RTC Branch 31 last July 6.

The same judge also issued a warrant of arrest against the accused for a separate attempted murder case with a P72,000 recommended bail.

Another suspect, the subject of a non-bailable warrant of arrest for two counts of statutory rape, was arrested in his hiding place in Paquibato District in Davao City.

The 5th MWP was arrested in Talomo District in Davao City based on a warrant of arrest for qualified rape, sexual assault, and acts of lasciviousness.

The 6th suspect was arrested in an anti-narcotics operation in Panabo City in Davao del Norte.

Silo said that the suspect was considered the 5th most wanted drug personality in Region 11 before his arrest.

The 7th MWP was arrested on Sunday by the local police. The suspect is facing a non-bailable case for 12 counts of statutory rape issued by Judge Jimmy Buco of the Tagum City RTC Br. 2.

Another suspect was arrested for a non-bailable rape case in Cabantian, Davao City.

The 9th, the 5th most wanted drug personality in Southern Mindanao, was arrested in a buy-bust operation in Cabayugan 1 in Sasa, Davao City, last Sunday. The suspect yielded some P10,500 worth of shabu and an unlicensed caliber .38 revolver with four bullets.

Silo said that the arrested drug dealer is also the subject of a non-bailable warrant of arrest for rape by sexual assault issued by Judge Maria Eloisa Maglana of the Panabo City RTC Br. 4.

The 8th MWP in Panabo City was arrested in his hiding place in Carmen, Agusan del Norte, based on a warrant of arrest for attempted rape.

The 11th suspect, the subject of a warrant of arrest for qualified statutory rape with no bail recommended by Judge Zarah Agusando-Silvosa of the Davao City RTC Branch 33, was arrested in Bgy. Sirawan in Toril District.

Silo said that a suspect, the 5th most wanted man in Tagum City, was arrested based on a non-bailable warrant of arrest for murder issued by Judge Arlen Palabrica of the Tagum City RTC Br. 31.