ILOILO City — In a move to strengthen prosecution of drug cases and prevent operational lapses, 52 police personnel of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) underwent a refresher seminar on anti-illegal drug laws and jurisprudence, underscoring the critical role of legal knowledge in sustaining arrests in court.
The one-day training, held on March 17 at the ICPO function hall inside Camp Achilles D. Plagata, gathered officers primarily from the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU), City Intelligence Unit (CIU), and investigators from 10 police stations, according to ICPO director Police Colonel Wilbert Parilla.
Parilla said the seminar aims to update and enhance both the legal knowledge and operational competence of personnel involved in anti-drug operations, ensuring strict adherence to existing laws, recent Supreme Court rulings, and Philippine National Police (PNP) policies.
He stressed that continuous learning is essential for law enforcers to ensure that cases filed against drug suspects will stand in court.
“A good police officer is not only brave in operations, but also firm in knowledge and respect for the law,” Parilla said.
The training forms part of ICPO’s ongoing efforts to strengthen professionalism and legal awareness among its ranks, particularly in handling sensitive anti-illegal drug operations where procedural lapses can result in case dismissals.
Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Lionel Dapat served as resource speaker, discussing the latest jurisprudence on anti-illegal drug operations. He provided insights into recent Supreme Court decisions affecting the conduct of operations, proper handling of evidence, and the strict observance of legal procedures necessary for successful prosecution.
Police Captain Warren Calzado, ICPO City Legal Officer, also discussed Police Operational Procedures (POP) and other PNP issuances, emphasizing the importance of following standard operational guidelines and legal protocols in planning and executing drug-related operations.
ICPO said the seminar is part of its continuing initiative to ensure that all anti-illegal drug efforts are conducted within the bounds of the law, reinforcing both accountability and effectiveness in the campaign against illegal drugs./PN
