CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna – The Police Regional Office 4-A arrested 987 wanted individuals in the Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon region from Feb. 1 to 28.

Three-hundred seven were most wanted persons and 74 were caught in Rizal, followed by Laguna, 65; Cavite, 62; Quezon, 56, and Batangas, 50. Six-hundred eighty were other wanted persons. Suspects face cases for murder, rape, illegal drugs, robbery, theft, and estafa.

PRO 4-A Director Police Brig. Gen Paul Kenneth Lucas commended the unwavering dedication of police officers in ensuring public safety. 

“This milestone is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of our personnel in bringing fugitives to justice. Just as February highlights the importance of care and commitment through heart month, our pursuit of justice reflects the same steadfast dedication to public safety. We uphold the law with both firmness and compassion, always striving to protect and serve,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council-Calabarzon has placed its Emergency Operations Center on blue alert to ensure heightened monitoring and preparedness in the May elections.

RDRRMC Chairman Carlos Eduardo Alvarez III said that they are maintaining blue alert status to ensure public safety and security throughout the election period.

“The RDRRMC Calabarzon supports the safe and peaceful conduct of the forthcoming elections by ensuring that proper emergency preparedness measures are established and protocols are implemented,” he said.

Alvarez added that large gatherings during the election increase public vulnerability to human-induced hazards and could lead to significant impacts in the event of natural disasters.

Member-agencies, particularly those involved in emergency response, have been directed to intensify their monitoring and risk reduction efforts to address any potential incidents within their respective areas of responsibility.

Alvarez instructed local DRRMCs and their officials to implement key measures, including strict adherence to election-related protocols, particularly those outlined in Commission on Elections Resolution No. 11060, which prohibits the use of public funds for social services and housing projects during the election period.

They were also tasked to place disaster response and emergency teams on standby alert, ensuring that search and rescue, medical, and communication units are ready for deployment. They must also identify accident-prone and high-risk areas while prepositioning emergency response, traffic management, and security teams as needed, Alvarez said.