ILOILO City – Western Visayas emerged as the country’s top-performing police region in shabu seizures during the first half of June, with authorities confiscating more than P20 million worth of illegal drugs in just 13 days while keeping crime incidence among the lowest nationwide.
Data from the Philippine National Police’s operational performance evaluation showed that the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) seized 3,042.08 grams of shabu valued at P20.69 million from June 1 to 13, 2026, the highest volume confiscated by any police regional office in the country.
The accomplishment was achieved through 49 anti-drug operations that resulted in the arrest of 59 suspected drug personalities, underscoring the region’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs and efforts to dismantle drug networks operating in communities.
The region’s anti-drug gains highlighted a broader law enforcement push that also produced strong results against environmental crimes, smuggling, illegal gambling, and wanted persons.
PRO-6 director Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño credited the accomplishment to the commitment of police personnel and the support of partner agencies and local government units.
“These accomplishments demonstrate the dedication and professionalism of our personnel in carrying out their mandate to protect the people and uphold the law,” Tuaño said.
“We will continue to strengthen our operational capabilities, foster stronger partnerships with stakeholders, and sustain our efforts against all forms of criminality,” he added.
Beyond the anti-drug campaign, PRO-6 ranked first nationwide in anti-illegal logging operations after carrying out 77 operations that led to the arrest of 33 individuals.
The region also posted the country’s highest value of confiscated illegal fishing items, amounting to approximately P6.38 million, after conducting 50 operations and arresting 122 violators. PRO-6 placed second nationwide in anti-illegal fishing operations based on the number of persons arrested.
In the campaign against smuggling, PRO-6 ranked second nationwide after conducting 268 operations and confiscating smuggled goods worth P88,189. Police also arrested 105 wanted persons through an equal number of manhunt operations and apprehended 69 individuals in 37 anti-illegal gambling operations.
Despite the intensified enforcement drive, Western Visayas remained one of the country’s most peaceful regions, recording only 20 incidents involving the eight focus crimes during the June 1-13 evaluation period. The figure placed the region among the Top 5 police regional offices with the lowest crime incidence nationwide.
The recorded incidents included three homicide cases, two physical injury cases, two rape incidents, five robbery cases, and eight theft incidents. No murder or carnapping incidents involving motor vehicles or motorcycles were reported during the period.
Tuaño said the results reflected the effectiveness of intelligence-driven and community-focused policing strategies being implemented across Western Visayas.
“The Police Regional Office 6 remains unwavering in its commitment to uphold the rule of law, safeguard communities, protect the region’s natural resources, and ensure public safety,” he said./PN
