PRO CAR arrests 1,744 wanted persons in 2025

BAGUIO CITY — The Police Regional Office Cordillera Administrative Region (PRO CAR) arrested 1,744 wanted persons for various criminal offenses across the region in 2025, alongside the accounting of 1,218 loose firearms, marking a year of intensified law enforcement operations.

Records from the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division show that the Baguio City Police Office (CPO) registered the highest number of arrests with 627, followed by the Benguet Police Provincial Office (PPO) with 480.

The Abra PPO and Kalinga PPO recorded 155 arrests each, while Ifugao PPO arrested 121, Apayao PPO apprehended 102, Mountain Province PPO recorded 97, and the Regional Headquarters accounted for seven arrests from January 1 to December 31, 2025.

Of the total arrested individuals, 354 were classified as Most Wanted Persons, including 64 at the regional level, 155 at the provincial level, and 135 at the municipal level, highlighting focused operations against high-priority fugitives.

Meanwhile, PRO CAR also reported significant gains in its sustained campaign against loose firearms, according to the Regional Operations Division.

A total of 155 individuals were arrested for gun-related violations, and 1,218 loose firearms were accounted for during the same period.

Of the firearms accounted for, 1,033 were voluntarily surrendered, 163 were confiscated, and 22 were recovered during police operations.

The Abra PPO led in both gun-related arrests and firearms accounted for, recording 84 arrests and 415 firearms, respectively.

Other units reported firearms accounted for as follows: Benguet PPO with 172, Kalinga PPO with 170, Ifugao PPO with 150, Baguio CPO with 143, Apayao PPO with 90, and Mountain Province PPO with 78.

Loose firearms include unregistered, altered, lost, stolen, or illegally manufactured weapons, as well as registered firearms possessed by unauthorized individuals or those with revoked licenses, in accordance with existing regulations.

PRO CAR Regional Director PBGEN Ericson D. Dilag said the accomplishments reflect sustained police operations and strengthened community engagement across the Cordillera region.

He noted that cooperation from communities, barangay officials, and local stakeholders played a key role in the identification and arrest of wanted individuals and the recovery of loose firearms.

Dilag reiterated PRO CAR’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring public safety, urging the public to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities promptly, and continue working closely with law enforcement authorities to maintain peace and order in the region.