By Jennifer P. Rendon
More than PHP13 million worth of shabu was confiscated in the Iloilo Police Provincial Office’s (IPPO) 45-day anti-narcotics operations.
Col. Bayani Razalan, Iloilo police chief, said the drug seizures are part of IPPO’s ongoing campaign against criminality and lawlessness.
From Jan. 1 to Feb. 14, various IPPO units conducted 43 anti-drug operations, leading to the arrest of 61 individuals—11 high-value targets and 50 street-level pushers.
Police operatives confiscated 1,933.48 grams of shabu, with a standard drug price of PHP13,147,683.
Authorities filed 110 drug-related cases in court.
Aside from its anti-drug efforts, IPPO also intensified operations against wanted persons, illegal gambling, loose firearms, illegal fishing, illegal quarrying, and illegal logging.
During the same period, police arrested 131 wanted persons, including 37 on the most-wanted list and 94 others with outstanding warrants.
Seventeen operations against illegal gambling resulted in the arrest of 24 individuals and the confiscation of PHP8,756 in bet money.
IPPO also conducted 14 operations against loose firearms, arresting 14 individuals and filing charges against them.
Authorities confiscated 14 firearms, while 52 were voluntarily surrendered, and 16 were deposited for safekeeping.
To safeguard Iloilo’s marine resources, IPPO launched 37 anti-illegal fishing operations, leading to the arrest of 101 individuals and the apprehension of 54 fishing boats. Confiscated fish from these operations amounted to PHP52,280.
Meanwhile, 29 anti-illegal quarry operations resulted in the arrest of 29 individuals and the impounding of 29 vehicles used in illegal quarry activities.
Razalan commended IPPO personnel for their dedication and highlighted the importance of community cooperation in maintaining peace and order.
“These achievements reflect the relentless efforts of our men and women in uniform, as well as the invaluable support of the Ilonggo community,” he said.
He emphasized that fighting crime is a shared responsibility and that strong police-community collaboration is essential for a safer Iloilo.
