PNP denies implementing 'quota arrests'

Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. clarified that the PNP does not implement a policy of "quota arrests."

Nartatez stated that PNP directives are based on intelligence and data, focusing on arresting individuals with outstanding warrants and reducing focus crimes to zero.

This statement follows a previous pronouncement by former PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III that arrests could be a metric for police promotions, a directive Kapatid wanted reversed.

The Commission on Human Rights had previously warned that Torre's directive could lead to abuses and rights violations, although he emphasized that arrests must be within the bounds of the law.

Nartatez reiterated that the ideal is to arrest 100% of wanted persons and achieve zero focus crimes, not to meet arbitrary quotas.

He also reported that from Aug. 22 to 28, the PNP conducted 924 operations resulting in 1,055 arrests and the confiscation of PHP38.4 million worth of illegal drugs.