MANILA, Philippines — In an intensified OPLAN PAGTUGIS- a nationwide manhunt operation, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) successfully arrested 77 wanted persons and fugitives in a three-day conducted from September 7 to 9, 2026.

The strategic synchronized law enforcement efforts led to a balanced sweep across the country’s major island group – in Luzon, 34 individuals were arrested, 29 in Mindanao, and 14 in Visayas.

The three-day operations successfully accounted twelve (12) Regional Level Most Wanted Persons from Regions 1, 4B, 7, 11, 12, 14, and the Negros Island Region (NIR). Sixteen (16) Provincial Level MWPs were tracked down in Zamboanga del Norte, Benguet, Samar, Maguindanao del Norte, Leyte, Rizal, Manila, Negros Occidental, Nueva Ecija, Cebu, and Pampanga.

Of the 77 accused, 19 of the arrested individuals face grave charges where bail was explicitly not recommended.

The fugitives were captured by virtue of Warrants of Arrest for grave offenses— including Murder, Frustrated Murder, Attempted Murder, Rape, Statutory Rape, Qualified Theft, Theft, Syndicated Estafa, Estafa, Plunder, Robbery, and Carnapping.

Arrests were also made for critical statutory violations, specifically Republic Act No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and Republic Act No. 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004).

The CIDG leadership Director highly commended the synchronized performance of all the operating field units involved in the swift round-up. He emphasized that these operations directly aid victims and grieving families in attaining the justice they deserve.

The CIDG assures the public that the Unit remains steadfast in upholding the rule of law; and unrelenting in accounting, pursuing, and tracking down criminals, wanted persons, and fugitives – across the Philippines.