BY MAI LADIAO
ILOILO – The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) has launched an investigation following allegations of a bribery scheme in quarry operations in this province.
Brigadier General Jack Wanky, the PRO-6 director, revealed reports of police officers allegedly offering protection to quarry activities for a monthly payment of approximately P50,000.
“We have received information concerning police officers who are reportedly safeguarding the operations. Although they are not directly involved in illegal quarrying, they appear to be part of the so-called quarry payola,” said Wanky.
The identities of these officers remain undisclosed as investigations continue.
While these officers might not be directly involved in the quarry operations, Wanky said they could be aiding the operators in circumventing and evading regulations.
To address these issues, PRO-6 plans to collaborate with the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, which oversees the regulation of quarry operations in the province.
Wanky emphasized the importance of revoking trip tickets issued to operators to prevent exploitation and underpayment of dues to the provincial government.
He also stressed the necessity of partnering with the Land Transportation Office to ensure the legality of trucks used in quarrying.
During the police director’s courtesy visit, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. urged Wanky to focus on combating illegal activities in the province, including illegal gambling, quarrying, drug trafficking, and fishing, particularly following the halt of legal Small Town Lottery operations.
To date, the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) has detained 99 individuals for breaching Provincial Ordinance No. 2017-145. A total of 97 police operations were conducted in collaboration with the Provincial Task Force on Anti-Overloading from January 1 to March 19, resulting in the impoundment of 99 trucks loaded with sand, stones, and other quarry materials.
Colonel Ronaldo Palomo, the IPPO director, expressed his concern over the ongoing violations and the persistence of such activities despite rigorous police efforts and heightened awareness campaigns./PN
