Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) seized a total of PHP25.3 billion worth of illegal drugs in 55,843 law enforcement operations nationwide in 2025. In a press briefing held in Camp Crame on Monday, PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said these operations also resulted in the arrest of 67,223 individuals.
According to Philippines News Agency, the seized narcotics comprise 3.28 million grams of shabu, more than 10.79 million grams of dried marijuana leaves, 3.37 million marijuana pieces, 127,462 grams of marijuana kush, 150,586 grams of cocaine, and 556 grams of ecstasy.
For the anti-smuggling campaign, Nartatez reported that the PNP conducted 2,169 operations, resulting in 2,216 arrests. The confiscated items included smuggled cigarettes worth over PHP4.3 billion, petroleum valued at over PHP8 million, agricultural products totaling over PHP321 million, and other counterfeit goods worth over PHP167 million, bringing the total estimated value of seized goods to over PHP4.8 billion.
Nartatez highlighted that fifty-two percent of these operations, or 1,098, took place from August 26 to December 31, resulting in 976 arrests and the seizure of goods valued around PHP2.5 billion.
In the campaign against wanted persons, a total of 84,567 wanted individuals were arrested nationwide in 2025, which includes 22,535 Most Wanted Persons (MWP) and 62,032 Other Wanted Persons (OWP). Nartatez emphasized that the focus in 2025 was on tracking down high-risk and long-wanted individuals to ensure they face justice.
Several Police Regional Offices (PROs) posted strong results in 2025, reflecting sustained operational pressure across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) remained the top-performing unit, accounting for 15,278 wanted persons arrested. Close behind was PRO 4 (Calabarzon) with 11,827 arrests, followed by PRO 3 (Central Luzon) with 9,245.
Other notable contributors included PRO 7 (Central Visayas) with 5,060 arrests, PRO 11 (Davao Region) with 4,292, and PRO 5 (Bicol) with 4,396. The PRO Bangsamoro Autonomous Region registered 820 arrests in 2025, reflecting improved law enforcement reach and coordination, while the newly established Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO NIR) logged 3,281 wanted persons apprehended in its first year of operations.
Nartatez attributed these gains to tighter coordination with courts, improved warrant validation, and relentless ground work by police units. "Every fugitive arrested is one less threat to our communities. This is how we make our presence felt-not just by patrolling, but by making sure no one is beyond the reach of the law," he added.
