ILOILO – The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) has disclosed that nine police personnel in Western Visayas are engaged in legitimate quarry businesses. Of the total, five are police commissioned officers while four are non-commissioned officers.
PRO-6 director Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño also confirmed having launched an investigation into two police officers allegedly involved in illegal quarrying activities in Iloilo Province amid intensified efforts by authorities to crack down on unauthorized extraction operations and environmental violations.
Tuaño emphasized that officers involved in legal quarry operations are allowed to continue their businesses provided there is no conflict of interest with their official duties.
“If a police officer has a legal quarry business, that is allowed. However, if there is a potential conflict of interest in the area where he is assigned, we can transfer or reassign that officer to another station,” Tuaño explained.
He said the PRO-6 is validating reports linking the two policemen to unauthorized quarry operations.
According to Tuaño, the Regional Intelligence Division has already coordinated with the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, Mines and Geosciences Bureau and concerned local government units to determine the identities of the officers and verify the allegations.
“We have already sent communications to the concerned agencies to establish the facts and determine whether there is basis for the reports involving these police personnel,” Tuaño said.
The regional police chief stressed that police officers are not prohibited from engaging in business activities, including quarry operations, provided these are conducted legally and with the necessary permits.
“There is nothing wrong if a police officer owns or operates a business as long as it is legal and compliant with government regulations,” he said.
The PRO-6 investigation comes amid ongoing government efforts to curb illegal quarrying activities, which authorities have long linked to environmental degradation and the unauthorized extraction of natural resources.
PRO-6 has yet to release the identities of the two policemen under investigation pending verification and coordination with concerned government agencies.
Tuaño assured the public that the police organization will take appropriate action should evidence show that any officer is involved in illegal activities.
“We will not tolerate any violation of the law. If there is proof of wrongdoing, corresponding actions will be taken,” he said./PN
