CAMP COL. ROMEO A.ABENDAN, Zamboanga City, Philippines — Police Regional Office (PRO) 9 further strengthened its campaign against wanted persons following the arrest of three individuals listed among the Most Wanted Persons at the regional, provincial, and municipal levels in separate manhunt operations in Zamboanga City and Zamboanga del Sur.

At around 8:31 PM on September 3, 2026, in Zone 4, Barangay Ayala, Zamboanga City, where personnel of Zamboanga City Police Station (ZCPS) 9, together with Regional Unit 9, 904th  Regional Mobile Force Battalion 9, and the Regional Intelligence Division 9, conducted a joint operation against a wanted person.

The operation resulted in the arrest of a 19-year-old male, a resident of Zamboanga City, who was listed as the Top 9 Most Wanted Person at the Regional Level of PRO9. Top 7 in Provincial Level and Top 7 at the Municipal Level.

The accused was arrested by virtue of a Warrant of Arrest issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 14, Zamboanga City, dated May 11, 2026, for Rape under Article 266-A(1) of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 8353, otherwise known as the “Anti-Rape Law of 1997.”

Earlier, at around 3:53 AM on September 2, 2026, personnel of Midsalip Municipal Police Station (MPS), together with the Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Intelligence Unit (ZSPIU) and the 53rd Infantry Battalion (IB), Philippine Army (PA), conducted a manhunt operation in Barangay Poblacion B Proper, Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur.

The operation resulted in the arrest of a 42-year-old male, a resident of Midsalip, who was listed as the Top 10 Wanted Person at the Provincial Level.

The accused was arrested by virtue of a Warrant of Arrest issued by the RTC, 9th Judicial Region, Branch 30, Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur, dated August 19, 2026, for Statutory Rape under Article 266-A in relation to Article 266-B of the Revised Penal Code.

Meanwhile, at around 2:38 AM on the same date, another manhunt operation conducted by the ZSPIU, Midsalip MPS, and the 53rd IB, PA, in Barangay Poblacion A Proper, Midsalip, resulted in the arrest of a 64-year-old male, also a resident of Midsalip.

The arrested individual was listed as the Top 7 Orovincial Mist Wanted Person and was apprehended by virtue of a Warrant of Arrest issued by the same court, dated August 19, 2026, for Statutory Rape.

“We will remain relentless in pursuing wanted persons and ensuring that those accused of violating the law are brought before the proper courts. Our law enforcement operations will continue to be intelligence-driven, coordinated, and firmly grounded on the rule of law and respect for human rights,” Police Brigadier General Elmer E Ragay, Regional Director, PRO 9 said.

PRO 9 remains steadfast in its intensified campaign against wanted persons and all forms of criminality. In line with the Chief, PNP mantra, “Sa Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman,” PRO 9 continues to strengthen intelligence-driven operations and law enforcement initiatives to maintain peace and order, protect vulnerable sectors, and ensure safer communities across the region.