ILOILO City – The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) concluded its 45-day anti-criminality campaign with the seizure of approximately P45 million worth of illegal drugs and the arrest of 189 fugitives across the province.
From January 1 to February 14, police units’ anti-drug efforts yielded 6.5 kilograms of shabu with an estimated value of P44,807,679 from 47 separate buy-bust operations. Also, 58 drug personalities, categorized as 28 high-value and 30 street-level individuals, were caught.
In the campaign against wanted persons, a total of 190 operations were carried out, leading to the arrest of 189 suspects – 69 most wanted, including 11 regional, 15 provincial, and 43 municipal targets; 119 others with lesser offenses; and one who voluntarily surrendered.
The IPPO’s intensified operations against illegal gambling netted 200 individuals and seized P53,318 in bet money from 67 operations.
In the crackdown against loose firearms, 14 persons were arrested and a total of 165 firearms were accounted for, consisting of 14 confiscated, 140 voluntarily surrendered, and 11 deposited.
Additionally, 17 anti-illegal fishing operations resulted in 43 arrests, 33 fishing boats impounded, and P30,060 worth of fish seized.
IPPO director Colonel Bayani Razalan commended his men for their dedication and emphasized the importance of sustained enforcement, reaffirming that the province’s police force will continue to strengthen operations and community partnerships.
“Nagapadayon ang aton agresibo nga kampanya batok sa kriminalidad para sa mas malinong, matawhay, kag mainuswagon nga probinsya. Ini nga mga madinalag-on nga operasyon nagapakita sang hugot nga kooperasyon sang pulisya kag komunidad. Ginapasalamatan ko ang publiko sa ila padayon nga pagsuporta,” Razalan said.
He further assured the public that the IPPO remains committed to serving with integrity and speed to ensure safety for every resident./PN
