The Philippine National Police (PNP) has been observing strict vetting policy on the reward system for wanted criminals in a bid to ensure that the information relayed by the public actually translates into real operational results.

Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. said the organization has tight protocols to ensure that all information received from the public undergoes careful assessment before officers take action.

“With or without the reward, expect that your Philippine National Police is working hard to account for fugitives, particularly those in the most wanted list. The reward is proven to be effective but we have to make sure the information is credible, actionable, and leads to an actual arrest,” said Nartatez.

He added that maintaining strict confidentiality for informants and documenting every transaction are essential safeguards against abuse.

On Tuesday, Dec. 9, around P10.6 million reward was given to 29 tipsters after their information resulted in the arrest of wanted persons.

PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said the highest reward, amounting to ₱5,300,000.00 went to the informant who enabled the arrest of an Abu Sayyaf sub-leader involved in multiple murders.

He said other informants received hundreds of thousands in rewards, with amounts generally falling within the ₱130,000.00 to ₱500,000.00 bracket, depending on the gravity of the cases resolved—including murder, kidnapping, rape, illegal detention, and violations of RA 9165 and RA 7610.

Nartatez said the program is meant to encourage citizens to share legitimate information that can help remove criminal elements from communities. He said the amount depends on the case involved, threat posed by the suspect, and direct relevance of the information provided.

Nartatez called on communities to remain vigilant and continue engaging with the PNP, “ We encourage the public to report criminal activities. But we will maintain rigorous checks on submitted tips to prevent false or malicious reporting and to preserve the integrity of the program.”

The PNP emphasized that the strengthened verification measures are part of its broader effort to improve public trust and reinforce its commitment to effective, community-driven policing.