ILOILO City – The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) has dismissed claims that the metropolis is unsafe, stressing that the city continues to rank among the country’s safest urban areas with no large-scale crimes recorded in recent years.
ICPO director Police Colonel Kim Legada issued the statement following safety concerns raised by retired Police Colonel Cornelio Salinas whose wife, Dr. Lulu Salinas, was victimized in a recent mall parking lot holdup.
“Indi matuod nga indi safe ang Iloilo City,” Legada said, assuring residents and visitors that the city remains secure compared to other major cities.
He emphasized that Iloilo City has not recorded crimes that would classify it as a high-risk urban center.
“Ang nagakatabo lang nga nagakakuha sang atensyon amo ang mga naga-viral nga rumble, pero wala gid naton ini ginapabay-an,” he added.
Legada underscored ICPO’s swift action in addressing crimes, citing the prompt identification and arrest of the suspect in the Salinas robbery case as proof of efficiency. He also lauded the support of the Iloilo City Government under Mayor Raisa Treñas, crediting their joint campaigns against criminality.
“Dako gid ang bulig sang lokal nga pamunuan sa pagpabilin sang kalinong kag katawhayan sa syudad,” he said.
To strengthen security, ICPO recently convened a coordination meeting with mall and hotel managers, along with their head security officers, to refine crime-prevention strategies. Police Colonel Wilbert Parilla, chief of the Regional Intelligence Division 6, also attended the meeting, which highlighted the need for strong collaboration between law enforcement and private establishments.
Legada stressed that sustaining peace and order requires the involvement of all sectors.
“Ang katawhayan sang aton syudad indi lang obra sang kapulisan kundi isa ka responsibilidad naton tanan,” he said, assuring Ilonggos that the police remain vigilant and committed to public safety./PN
