SOME 1,371 wanted persons and criminals were arrested and nearly P900 million worth of evidence was seized by operatives of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) during its anti-crime drive last month, the CIDG reported yesterday.
The CIDG said 96 loose firearms, four explosives, assorted magazines, and 3,391 rounds of ammunition were also seized during 1,060 law enforcement operations.
The arrested suspects included seven “most wanted persons” at the national level, 131 at the regional level, and 79 at the provincial level.
“In honoring all women and their children in relation to the National Women’s Month (in March), 231 suspects were arrested for alleged abusing women and children- they are accused of rape, sexual abuse, incest rape, parricide, acts of lasciviousness, trafficking in person, sexual harassment, concubinage, child abuse, violence against women and children, online sexual exploitation, and cyber-related offenses,” the CIDG said in a statement.
It said the suspects also included 27 foreign nationals who were involved in environmental crimes, illegal practice of medicines, trafficking in persons, violation of the SIM Registration Act, cybercrimes, and illegal offshore gaming operations.
“A total of P897,599,491.48 worth of evidence was seized during the whole month’s grind,” the CIDG also said.
CIDG director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III commended CIDG personnel for last month’s “very good harvest.”
“With the arrests of these criminals and fugitives, and the confiscation of loose firearms and explosives, we accounted for a significant number of the so-called ‘guns, goons, and gold’ of Philippine politics, and therefore we prevented their use for the coming election,” said Torre.
“Rest assured that the CIDG is relentless in our fight against all forms of criminality and steadfast in arresting all criminals and violators of law, and in accounting and confiscating loose firearms and explosives to ensure safe and peaceful national and local elections in May. Your CIDG is dauntless, your CIDG means business,” said Torre.
SPD REPORT
Crimes in the southern part of Metro Manila decreased by 22 percent during the first quarter of the year, the Southern Police District said.
The SPD covers the cities of Makati, Taguig, Pasay, Paranaque, and Las Pinas and the lone municipality of Pateros.
“Based on comparative data between October to December 2024 and January to March 2025, SPD recorded a substantial decline across most of the eight focus crimes, proving the impact of intensified police operations, strategic interventions, and strengthened community collaboration,” the SPD said.
The SPD said it recorded a 22% overall decrease in crime, with total recorded incidents dropping from 348 in the last quarter of 2024 to 272 in the first quarter of 2025.
Theft cases also declined by 39 %, with 55 fewer cases (from 141 to 86), rape cases dropping by 37%, with 24 fewer incidents (from 65 to 41), physical injuries cases decreasing by 32%, with 15 fewer cases (from 47 to 32) and robbery incidents at 6 %, with three fewer cases (from 49 to 46).
The SPD said these positive outcomes highlight the effectiveness of increased police visibility, quicker response initiatives, and community engagements under its director, Brig. Gen. Manuel Abrugena.
However, homicide and murder cases showed an upward trend, with homicide cases rising by 138% (from 8 to 19) and murder cases increasing by 44% (from 18 to 26).
Motor vehicle theft cases also climbed by 33% (from 6 to 8).
“This success is a shared victory. It is a reflection of what can be achieved when police and the community come together. We will continue to push forward — more determined than ever — to make sure our communities remain safe havens for all,” Abrugena said as he bids farewell to the SPD to become the Deputy Regional Director for Operations of the National Capital Region Police Office.
NEW SPD DIRECTOR
Abrugena’s replacement as SPD Director, Brig. General Joseph Arguelles, vowed to continue strengthening police-community relations, upholding human rights, and intensifying anti-criminality and anti-illegal drug operations within the district.
A member of the Philippine National Police Academy Patnubay Class of 1995, Arguelles said he will continue the anti-criminality drive of his predecessor that saw crimes decrease by 22% in the first quarter of the year.
He said the SPD remains a critical area for security operations but is confident that through sustained law enforcement operations, crimes will continue their downward trend.
