Astig Pulis PH

SAMAR PPO’S FAITH PROGRAM, TURNING FORMER REBELS INTO PARTNERS FOR PEACE

The Philippine National Police (PNP) today recognized the Samar Police Provincial Office (PPO) for the successful conduct of its reorganization and reintegration program for former rebels held on February 1, 2026, in Brgy. Lagundi, Catbalogan City.

The activity, attended by 80 participants, focused on providing guidance, continuous support, and mentorship to former rebels as they transition back into society as productive and peaceful community members.

As part of the program, the Samar PPO introduced Project FAITH or Food Always In The House —a local initiative designed to give former rebels a concrete pathway toward sustainable livelihood and long-term self-reliance.

Project FAITH brings former rebels together into a structured community and equips them with practical skills, especially in agriculture, to help them earn an honest living. By promoting self-reliance and productivity, the initiative allows beneficiaries to stand on their own feet and give back to their families and communities.

Chief PNP, Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. lauded the initiative as a meaningful example of the Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO) under the PNP Focused Agenda. “Ang Project FAITH ay patunay na ang kapayapaan ay napapalakas kapag binibigyan natin ng malinaw na oportunidad ang mga dating rebelde na magkaroon ng maayos at marangal na kabuhayan,” he said. “Kapag may pagkain sa mesa at may direksyon ang buhay, mas nagiging matibay ang kapayapaan sa komunidad.”

He added, “Hindi lang ito tungkol sa pagbabalik-loob, kundi sa pagbibigay ng kakayahan na mamuhay nang marangal. Sa pamamagitan ng ganitong programa, ginagawa nating katuwang sa kapayapaan ang mga dating rebelde—isang konkretong anyo ng serbisyong tunay na nararamdaman ng mamamayan.”

Guided by these principles, the PNP continues to strengthen reintegration initiatives that are sustainable, organized, and responsive, reaffirming its commitment to Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat at Nararamdaman.

(PNP-PIO)

PNP SEIZES ₱91.25 MILLION ILLEGAL DRUGS IN CORDILLERA OPERATIONS

A sustained weeklong anti-illegal drugs drive in the Cordillera has once again underscored the Philippine National Police’s firm presence in high-risk areas and its resolve to deny criminal groups any safe ground. Under the leadership of PNP Chief PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., the Police Regional Office Cordillera Administrative Region (PRO CAR) delivered a major blow to the illegal drug trade through a series of focused operations conducted from January 26 to February 1, 2026.

During the period, PRO CAR carried out 34 operations, consisting of 32 ma*****na eradication efforts, one service of a warrant of arrest, and one police response, resulting in the confiscation of illegal drugs with a total Standard Drug Price of ₱91,256,880.00. Authorities uprooted and seized 251,565 fully grown ma*****na plants and 2,400 ma*****na seedlings from identified plantation sites in mountainous areas of the Cordillera, along with 2.10 grams of shabu recovered during law enforcement action.

Benguet Police Provincial Office (PPO) recorded the highest seizure amounting to ₱88,242,600.00 worth of ma*****na plants confiscated from remote cultivation areas. This was followed by the Kalinga PPO, which seized illegal drugs valued at ₱3,014,280.00 and apprehended one Street Level Individual (SLI) during operations conducted within the province.

PNP Chief PGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. emphasized the significance of sustained pressure against illegal drugs, saying, “These results show that consistent field operations and firm law enforcement can significantly disrupt the supply of illegal drugs, even in hard-to-reach areas.” He added, “Hindi titigil ang PNP sa laban na ito dahil malinaw ang ating layunin—protektahan ang ating mga komunidad at ang kinabukasan ng mamamayan.”

Anchored on the PNP Focused Agenda, a strategic framework for institutional transformation, the operations in the Cordillera reflect the priority on Enhanced Managing Police Operations, particularly in addressing drug cultivation and distribution networks in geographically challenging locations. This approach reinforces the PNP’s intent to sustain operational presence, strengthen accountability, and ensure that law enforcement actions translate into safer communities.

PGEN Nartatez Jr. further stressed the role of vigilance and public trust, stating, “The success of these operations is also a reminder that the fight against illegal drugs is shared by the police and the community.” He added, “Kapag sama-sama ang aksyon ng pulis at mamamayan, mas nagiging matatag ang ating depensa laban sa iligal na droga.”

As the PNP intensifies its campaign against illegal drugs and criminal activities across the country under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., it continues to assure the public of “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong mabilis, tapat, at nararamdaman.”

(PNP-PIO)