• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A total of 149 fugitives were accounted for by the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) from Jan. 1 to 15, according to a report of the Police Regional Office-Western Visayas.
The Bacolod City Police Office also arrested 19 wanted persons, bringing to 168 the number of wanted persons arrested by the police in the province.
Of the 315 wanted persons apprehended in Western Visayas, a total of 43 were tagged as most wanted persons (MWPs) while 272 were other wanted persons (OWPs).
MWPs are the most notorious among the wanted persons whose arrest is prioritized, while OWPs are those facing simple crimes.
The Iloilo Police Provincial Office trailed behind the NOCPPO in the number of arrested fugitives with 66, followed by Capiz PPO – 30, Antique PPO – 20, Iloilo City Police – 18, Aklan PPO – 10, Guimaras PPO- 5, and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group – 2.
Recognizing the support of the community that led to the location and arrest of the wanted persons, PBrig. Gen. Jack Wanky, police regional director of Western Visayas, said “these arrests are a manifestation of our relentless effort in pursuing the remaining wanted persons in the region.” | GB
