Two provincial level most wanted persons were arrested in separate operations on April 1, 2026, as part of the intensified manhunt campaign of the Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11).
In a report from PRO 11, authorities identified one of the arrested individuals as Benjie Rosas Flores, ranked as the province’s Top 4 most wanted person. He was apprehended in Sitio Kapihan, Barangay Zone III, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.
Flores has a standing warrant of arrest for violations of Sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, with criminal case numbers 391 (2021) and 392 (2021). The warrant for service of sentence was issued on March 19, 2026 by Presiding Judge Emily Zen Y. Chua of the Regional Trial Court Branch 61 in Digos City.
In a separate operation, Maita R. Palma, listed as the Top 8 most wanted person in Davao del Norte, was arrested in Barangay Ising, Carmen, Davao del Norte.
Palma was apprehended by virtue of a warrant of arrest for syndicated estafa under Criminal Case No. 2536-39 issued on February 20, 2026 by Presiding Judge Celestial Verde Aranda-Gonzaes of the Regional Trial Court Branch 1 in Tagum City. The court recommended no bail for the offense.
The operations were conducted by the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 11 and Regional Special Operations Group 11, in coordination with other PRO 11 units.
Both suspects are now under police custody pending proper legal proceedings.
PRO 11 Regional Director Leon Victor Rosete commended the operating units for the successful arrests and reaffirmed the police force’s commitment to tracking down fugitives.
“We will continue to strengthen our manhunt operations, especially against those listed as top priority. Let this serve as a stern warning to all wanted persons there is no safe haven for lawless elements in the Davao Region. We will relentlessly pursue you until you are brought before the court of law,” Rosete said.
He added that the accomplishment aligns with the directive of Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. to intensify law enforcement efforts, sustain the arrest of wanted persons, and suppress illegal drugs and other criminal activities in the Davao Region.
