The Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 in Central Visayas has achieved a significant milestone in its fight against crime, arresting a staggering number of individuals with outstanding warrants. From the start of the year until November 27, 2025, law enforcement officers successfully apprehended over 5,000 wanted persons across the region.
A Year of Intensive Manhunt Operations
This remarkable feat was the result of a relentless and coordinated campaign. The PRO 7 launched a total of 5,290 targeted manhunt operations throughout the nearly eleven-month period. These operations yielded the arrests of two key groups: 936 individuals classified as Most Wanted Persons (MWPs) and an additional 4,326 other wanted persons with pending court cases.
Police Brigadier General Redrico Maranan, the Director of PRO 7, emphasized the message this crackdown sends to the criminal element. He stated that the success proves criminals cannot evade justice in Central Visayas. The operation effectively removed these fugitives from communities, thereby preventing their potential involvement in new criminal activities and enhancing public security.
Targeting Heinous Crimes and Community Partnership
Among those captured were individuals wanted for serious and heinous offenses. The list of charges included murder, rape, robbery, homicide, and various illegal drug cases. General Maranan credited the success to a multi-faceted strategy combining intensive intelligence work, sustained police visibility, and effective coordination with local government units and other agencies.
He also highlighted the indispensable role played by the community. Public support, through the continuous provision of information, served as a force multiplier for the police. "In Central Visayas, criminals cannot hide and fugitives cannot escape," Maranan affirmed. "Our police are committed to enforcing the law and keeping communities safe. Each arrest strengthens public safety and shows our commitment to upholding justice."
Sustained Commitment to Law and Order
Brig. Gen. Maranan commended all police units under his command for their dedication and discipline throughout the demanding operations. The achievement underscores PRO 7's strong pledge to the public, demonstrating that lawbreakers will find no safe haven in the region.
The PRO 7 has vowed to maintain this aggressive posture against wanted persons. The office pledges to continue its operations to ensure the ongoing safety of the public in Central Visayas, building on the proven formula of police work, inter-agency cooperation, and active community partnership.
