PNP: 78,000 wanted persons arrested in 2022

MANILA, Philippines — At least 78,800 fugitives were arrested across the country in 2022, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported yesterday.

Data from the PNP Directorate for Operations showed police units nationwide have apprehended 78,293 persons wanted for various criminal cases as of Dec. 7.

“I commend our hardworking PNP personnel who made each police operation successful,” PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurian Jr. said in a statement.

Azurin said 2,940 members of organized crime groups were arrested while 381 were killed in alleged shootouts with lawmen during the same period. A total of 162 other members of criminal gangs surrendered.

In the campaign against loose firearms, 32,441 assorted guns were seized and 9,724 were apprehended.

Azurin said 103,159 were caught for illegal gambling.

Police also apprehended 29,572 for illegal fishing and 3,135 for illegal gambling.

Meanwhile, up to 2,440 New People’s Army rebels have surrendered in the government’s campaign against communist insurgency. Seventeen guerilla fronts were also dismantled, the PNP reported.

“I will intensify more our police presence in the community to reduce crime, corruption, illegal drugs, insurgency, terrorism as well as most wanted persons who are fugitives from justice and who continue to pose threats to peace and order in our country,” Azurin said.