MANILA, Philippines — As the nation welcomes 2026, the Philippine National Police (PNP) marked the opening hours of the new year with decisive law enforcement actions, arresting eight (Most Wanted Persons (MWPs) and neutralizing illegal drugs worth ₱8.8 million in a series of operations conducted from 10:00 PM of January 1 to 9:00 AM of January 2, 2026.
These accomplishments, carried out across multiple regions, reflect the PNP’s sustained focus on public safety and accountability under the PNP Focus Agenda on Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO), aligned with the national vision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for a safer and more orderly Philippines.
Among those arrested were Top 2, Top 3, Top 4, Top 6, Top 9, and Top 10 Most Wanted Persons involved in serious crimes such as murder, syndicated estafa, statutory rape, and other heinous offenses, apprehended through coordinated operations by police units in Central Luzon, CALABARZON, Bicol, Western Visayas, NCR, and other key areas. All arrested individuals are now under proper police custody and facing due legal processes.
In the campaign against illegal drugs, police units also recorded significant gains. In Kalinga, authorities destroyed 7,000 fully grown marijuana plants valued at ₱1.4 million during a large-scale eradication operation. Meanwhile, a joint buy-bust operation in Cebu City led to the arrest of a High-Value Individual (HVI) and the seizure of 1,030 grams of shabu worth ₱7.4 million.
Acting Chief PNP, PLTGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said the early accomplishments send a clear message as the new year begins.
“We are starting 2026 with firm and focused police action. These results show that our personnel remain vigilant—even during the holidays—because public safety does not take a break,” PLTGEN Nartatez said. “This is about protecting communities, enforcing the law fairly, and making sure that criminals are held accountable.”
He added that these operations underscore the PNP’s continuing transformation under the current administration.
“Under the guidance of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., we will continue strengthening our operations through EMPO—smarter deployment, tighter coordination, and faster response. This is how we deliver police service that our people can truly feel,” he stressed.
The Acting Chief PNP, PLTGEN Nartatez emphasized that the guiding principle of “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas—Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat, at Nararamdaman” will remain at the core of police operations throughout 2026.
“Hindi ito pang-isang taon lang. This will continue to guide us every day—sa lansangan, sa komunidad, at sa bawat operasyon—so that the public sees and feels a police force they can trust,” PLTGEN Nartatez said.
As 2026 begins, the PNP reaffirms its commitment to relentless law enforcement, respect for human rights, and responsive public service—ensuring that safety, justice, and order remain at the forefront of the nation’s new year.
