By Christine Fabro
Over 30,000 wanted persons were captured by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the first five months of 2023, PNP chief PGen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. reported Monday, June 5.
According to the police chief, the PNP captured 30,591 wanted persons while 184 surrendered to the authorities from Jan. 1 to June 2 this year.
Over the same period, the PNP units have confiscated a total of 12,409 illegal firearms from 3,758 arrested persons, while 7,032 firearms were received by the authorities for safekeeping.
Acorda also reported that some 897 gang members belonging to 200 neutralized criminal gangs were arrested in 690 police-initiated operations.
“As a result of the PNP’s aggressive operations, a total of 897 gang members belonging to 200 neutralized criminal gangs were arrested in 690 police-initiated operations,” Acorda said.
“Ten other gang members died in these operations, while 84 other gang members surrendered,” he added.
Acorda stressed that police operations against wanted persons and loose firearms remain on full speed in support of the overall security strategy for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in October. – gb
