The Calabarzon Region (outlined in red) (Image from Google Maps)
LUCENA CITY – Some 444 suspects were arrested in simultaneous operations conducted in a single day in the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) region on Tuesday, August 30, the Police Regional Office 4A (PRO-4A reported Wednesday, August 31.
Police Brigadier General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., PRO-4A chief, noted that among the suspects arrested, at least 125 of them were listed as “most wanted persons” (14 regional level, 23 provincial, and 88 city/municipal). Most of the crimes that were allegedly committed by the arrested suspects were homicide, rape, murder and violation of Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Nartatez said the Rizal police provincial office topped the list with the most wanted criminals arrested.
“But based on percentage, number of standing warrants versus number of arrested persons, Quezon police provincial office led,” the report explained.
Nartatez said the mass arrest was a “firm message to criminal elements that the police are working and they will never be able to evade the arms of the law forever.”
The police official maintained that “individuals who have committed crimes, more so of heinous nature, would likely commit again another crime in the future, if they were given no intervention.”
He added: “For that, we seek the assistance of our stakeholders to come up with programs that will help criminals to restrain their impulsive actions once confronted with difficult situations and to help them also to reintegrate back to their communities and families.”
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