ILOILO – How many fugitives from justice are there in this province?
New police provincial director Police Colonel Roland Vilela ordered a 24-hour operation to arrest 80 wanted persons.
Each police station must be able to arrest two, said Vilela who issued his order yesterday morning.
There are 42 municipal police stations and one component city police station (Passi) in this province.
Vilela’s order took effect at 6 a.m. yesterday and would end at 6 a.m. today, he said.
What happens if a police station fails to make arrests?
There won’t be heavy sanctions, said Vilela but he added, “Ayaw kong kausapin ang hindi nag-comply sa akin.”
Vilela also did not discount the possibility that some municipalities may not have fugitives.
So what should their police stations do?
“Sa mga bayang walang wanted person, sabi ko sa police stations you have to at least visit victims of domestic violence or drug surrenderees. Talk to them. Tanungin ila kung paano na sila,” said Vilela.
The police’s role is not limited to just arresting violators of laws, he stressed; it must be proactive in protecting people.
Vilela revealed around noon yesterday that 20 fugitives were already served with arrest warrants and detained.
Among the police stations which immediately made arrests were those in the municipalities of Bingawan, Anilao, San Dionisio, and San Enrique./PN
