Quezon city: The Philippine National Police on Tuesday awarded a total of PHP10.6 million in reward money to 30 informants who aided in the arrest of 30 wanted individuals across the nation. The informants, maintaining their anonymity by wearing full-face masks, each received their rewards in plastic envelopes during a ceremony at Camp Crame, led by PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. and other top officials.

According to Philippines News Agency, PNP Director for Intelligence Maj. Gen. Wilson Joseph Lopez stated that the reward money was sourced from the agency's intelligence fund, with allocations approved by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). The apprehended criminals were linked to serious crimes such as murder, rape, and homicide.

The largest reward, amounting to PHP5.3 million, was given to an informant whose tip led to the February 2023 arrest of a suspect wanted for seven counts of murder and 25 counts of frustrated murder by the 74th Special Action Company. In contrast, the smallest amount of PHP50,000 was awarded to an informant who facilitated the January 2024 arrest of a suspect wanted for double murder by the Kalinga Provincial Intelligence Unit and the Police Regional Office Cordillera.

At the ceremony, Nartatez emphasized the importance of these rewards as incentives for providing information that contributes to solving cases. He noted that such incentives could encourage citizens to come forward with valuable information, thereby expediting the resolution of cases. Nartatez also reassured the public of the PNP's commitment to lawful arrests, highlighting the police operational procedures and legal basis for each arrest made.