Police operatives of Police Regional Office 3 successfully arrested all Top 10 Most Wanted Persons in Bulacan and Tarlac during a swift two-day manhunt operation on April 1–2, 2026, reinforcing the region’s intensified campaign against criminality and its commitment to maintaining peace and order in Central Luzon. (Jason de Asis)
CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — Police authorities in Central Luzon recorded a major operational accomplishment after law enforcement units in Bulacan and Tarlac successfully arrested all individuals listed in their respective Top 10 Provincial Most Wanted Persons (MWP) for April 2026 during a two-day manhunt operation conducted on April 1 and 2.
According to the Police Regional Office 3, the intensified campaign led to the swift capture of fugitives facing serious criminal charges in both provinces.
In Bulacan, the Bulacan Police Provincial Office, under the leadership of Police Colonel Jay B. Baybayan, Officer-in-Charge, carried out intelligence-driven operations that resulted in the arrest of all ten most wanted individuals in the province.
The suspects were facing various criminal charges including rape, robbery, illegal possession of firearms, and carnapping, which authorities described as serious threats to public safety.
Police said the success of the operation was made possible through strong coordination among intelligence operatives, tracker teams, and cyber patrollers who conducted focused and targeted operations. Despite the observance of the Lenten season, Bulacan police units continued their efforts to track down fugitives and enforce standing warrants of arrest.
Meanwhile, in Tarlac, the Tarlac Police Provincial Office, led by Police Colonel Joel Mendoza, also achieved a 100 percent arrest rate of its Top 10 Provincial Most Wanted Persons ahead of the scheduled April 1–5 manhunt operations.
Authorities said the arrested individuals in Tarlac were involved in various criminal cases such as violations of Republic Act No. 9165, homicide, frustrated homicide, qualified theft, violation of Republic Act No. 9262, and Batas Pambansa Blg. 22. Some suspects were arrested under warrants with recommended bail, while others were committed for service of sentence.
Police officials said the synchronized accomplishments of the two provinces demonstrate the effectiveness of intelligence-driven policing and strengthened coordination among operating units across the region.
Regional Director Police Brig. General Jess B. Mendez of Police Regional Office 3 commended the operating units and emphasized that the operations align with the PNP Focused Agenda of Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr..
“This accomplishment reflects our firm commitment to the PNP Focused Agenda—particularly in the aggressive and sustained implementation of law enforcement operations against wanted persons. Through intelligence-driven strategies, strengthened coordination, and disciplined execution, we ensure that no offender evades justice,” Mendez said.
He added that the continuous arrest of wanted persons contributes significantly to strengthening community safety and maintaining peace and order across Central Luzon.
Authorities assured the public that intensified manhunt operations will continue throughout the region as part of ongoing efforts to uphold the rule of law and ensure safer communities for all. (Jason de Asis)