PNP chief denies arrest quotas, cites intelligence-driven operations

Philippine National Police (PNP) Acting Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. denied the existence of a "quota arrests" policy, stating that PNP operations are intelligence-driven and based on data.

He clarified that police directives are based on priority intelligence requirements and essential elements of information.

Nartatez explained that the PNP's target is to arrest 100% of wanted persons and reduce focus crimes to zero, emphasizing that these are ideals, not quotas.

His statement was a response to Kapatid, a detainee rights advocacy group, which urged him to reverse a directive from former PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III that reportedly used arrest numbers as a metric for police promotions.

Kapatid had previously argued that "quota arrests only worsen impunity and jail congestion without truly addressing crime."

The Commission on Human Rights had also cautioned that such a directive could potentially lead to abuses and human rights violations.

In recent operations from August 22 to 28, the PNP arrested 1,055 suspects and confiscated PHP38.4 million worth of illegal drugs.