ILOILO City – The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) hauled 27 kilograms of illegal drugs valued at P184.7 million during the first quarter of 2026, marking a significant surge in anti-drug accomplishments across Western Visayas.
Data from PRO-6 covering January to March revealed that 404 operations led to the seizure of shabu with an estimated value that is 89.42 percent higher than the same period last year. The operations also resulted in the arrest of 507 drug personalities.
The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) recorded the highest volume of seizures, totaling P87.2 million and resulting in 154 arrests. The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) followed with P42.2 million worth of shabu and 211 arrests.
PRO-6 director Brigadier General Josefino Ligan attributed the sharp increase in drug hauls to strengthened community partnerships and effective intelligence assets.
“Lumaki ang ating seizure kasi marami ang nagbibigay ng information on the movement of drug personalities kaya malaki ang nakukuha natin,” said Ligan.
Ligan noted that the IPPO’s high figures are linked to the province’s geography, particularly in northern Iloilo, where local ports are often exploited as transshipment points for illegal drugs.
While Ligan earlier admitted that the volume of drugs entering Western Visayas is “alarming,” he emphasized the importance of interception.
“Alarming ang drugs pero at least na-intercept natin ang malalaking volume and we save the potential drug users” he added.
PRO-6 also reported significant gains in other law enforcement areas during the same three-month period.
A total of 758 fugitives were arrested, including 205 most wanted individuals (heinous crimes) and 553 others with lesser offenses.
In the campaign against loose firearms, 88 were confiscated, along with six explosives. Additionally, 828 guns and 120 explosives were surrendered by the public, while 69 firearms were deposited for safekeeping./PN
