By Jennifer P. Rendon
Hundreds of persons facing criminal charges were taken off the streets following Iloilo Police Provincial Office’s (IPPO) relentless campaign on wanted persons.
IPPO records indicated that police units and stations netted 480 wanted persons from January 1 to May 5, 2021.
The number is 90 percent higher compared to 253 arrested persons in the same period last year.
The 480 arrested wanted persons include 63 persons (13.125) percent who were classified as most wanted persons, or those in the top 10 list of most wanted persons.
Colonel Gilbert Gorero, Iloilo police chief, commended the Barotac Nuevo Police Station for leading the campaign against wanted persons.
Barotac Nuevo PNP under Major Rowena Hubero accounted for 30 arrests or 6.25 percent of the total arrested persons.
The Concepcion police station, headed by Police Major Ronnie Brillo, has the second highest number of arrests at 25.
The third best performing unit were Oton, Santa Barbara, Dumangas and Barotac Viejo police stations with 21 arrests each.
In the implementation of Oplan Tokhang Kontra Armas Luthang or TKAL, Lambunao Police Station under the leadership of Police Major Jogen Suegay recovered the most number of firearms at 34.
Calinog Police Station, with Major Dadje Delima as its chief of police, is on the second spot with 33.
On third place is San Dionisio Police Station under Captain Rene Del Castillo with 19 firearms recovered.
Gorero said the Iloilo PPO has accounted 296 loose firearms from January 1 to May 5, 2021.
Also, 187 firearms were surrendered because the owners have yet to secure licenses, while 43 were recovered through the implementation of search warrants, 56 were deposited (for safekeeping pending renewal of license), and two others were turned over with no reasons specified.
This year’s accomplishment on loose firearms is 47 percent higher than the 201 firearms accounted in the same period last year.
As Gorero commended his personnel, he also thanked the Ilonggos whose support significantly contributed to these accomplishments.
“The increase in our accomplishments in the arrest of wanted persons and in the number of recoveries in the campaign against loose firearms is a testament of the unwavering support and confidence of the community to their Ilonggo cops,” Gorero said.
He also reminded the Ilonggo cops not to rest on their laurels.
“This is not yet time to be complacent. Good performance is not our goal but it must be our lifestyle,” Gorero said.
The Iloilo top cop has been consistently and closely monitoring and checking on his personnel to ensure that directives from higher headquarters are carried out or adhered to.
Aside from IPPO’s focus on anti-criminality and anti-terrorism efforts, Gorero said they are also paying attention on the implementation of basic health protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“We are at the very challenging times, but rest assured that your Ilonggo cops are unwavering in their commitment to serve and protect,” he said.
