By Jennifer P. Rendon

Twenty wanted persons were arrested as the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) intensified its anti-criminality drive.

Dubbed as “Birada Semana,” the campaign calls for all police units to step up in the arrest of wanted persons and operations against illegal drugs, among others.

It is regularly pursued every first and third week of the month.

Police Colonel Paul Kenneth Lucas, Iloilo police chief, said that the week-long intensified anti-criminality started Sept 1, which coincided with the celebration of the National Crime Prevention Week.

Lucas said police units delivered remarkable results just on the second day of the campaign.

Aside from netting 20 wanted persons, two drug personalities were also arrested.

The municipal police staterooms of Pavia, Badiangan, and Cabatuan arrested two persons each.

Meanwhile, the police stations of Ajuy, Anilao, Banate, Bingawan, Barotac Nuevo, Barotac Viejo, Calinog, Dueñas, Miag-ao, Mina, Passi, San Enrique, Tigbauan, and Zarraga.

The towns of Pavia and San Joaquin also recorded arrests of drug personalities through buy-bust operations.

During the said period, Lucas said they also seized nine loose firearms.

“This an impressive way to start the week and I expect more results coming in,” he said.

The Iloilo top cop also reminded the station chiefs to stay focused in the anti-criminality drive amidst their preoccupation in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.