LEGAZPI CITY — The Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) recently reported thay have arrested 2,590 wanted persons and 77 New People’s Army (NPA) members in various operations during the first half of the year.
PRO5 Regional Director Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon said of the total number of arrests from January to June, 11 were high-profile individuals listed as most wanted persons with rewards on their heads, while 601 were categorized as most wanted. The remaining 1,978 were classified as “other wanted persons.”
Among all the Bicol provinces and independent component cities, Camarines Sur recorded the highest number of arrests with 662 wanted persons, followed by Albay with 463 arrests, and Masbate with 419.
Dizon said the arrests are a testament to their relentless pursuit of criminality. He added that in the campaign against insurgency, PRO5 arrested 77 NPA members while 88 surrendered and nine were neutralized during police operations, which significantly weakened the insurgents’ capabilities in the region.
The operations launched by the PRO-5 also netted 110 assorted firearms and 129 explosives confiscated. Dizon said rebel surrenderees have been enrolled in the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), and provided financial assistance and livelihood training to facilitate their reintegration into society.
Aside from the operations implemented, Dizon said PRO-5 has also intensified its community engagement efforts to encourage lawless elements to surrender.
These initiatives, he said, include regular dialogues with local communities to understand their concerns and promote the benefits of peace and development, as well as partnerships with LGUs to ensure the successful implementation of reintegration programs and the delivery of essential services to former rebels and their communities. (PNA)