ILOILO – Sustain and build upon the province’s achievements in the fight against illegal drugs and other criminal activities, including illegal fishing. This is Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.’s marching order to the newly installed officer-in-charge of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), Police Colonel Roland V. Bulalacao.
Defensor issued the directive during Bulalacao’s courtesy call at the provincial capitol on Tuesday, May 20. The governor emphasized the need to preserve the momentum established by previous IPPO directors, particularly in curbing drug-related crimes.
“We want to sustain the gains in the fight against illegal drugs and criminality that were started by the previous IPPO leadership,” Defensor said, affirming the provincial government’s continued logistical and institutional support for the police.
Bulalacao assumed the post on May 10, just two days before the May 12 midterm elections. Prior to his appointment, he served as chief of the Regional Staff at the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6).
He replaced Colonel Bayani Razalan, who was relieved from his post by the Philippine National Police (PNP) national headquarters and reassigned to the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Office of PRO-6.
The decision came as a surprise to Governor Defensor, who noted there was no prior consultation and no specific reason provided for Razalan’s reassignment. However, he acknowledged that such relief orders fall within the internal administrative prerogative of the PNP.
“Whoever the PNP assigns as IPPO director, it will not affect our professional collaboration. The provincial government will continue to extend the same level of support,” Defensor said.
Razalan’s one-year tenure as IPPO chief was marked by significant accomplishments in anti-crime operations. These included the seizure of 16 kilos of shabu valued at P107 million, the arrest of 475 drug suspects, and the apprehension of 1,066 fugitives from 1,064 operations — 252 of whom were on the top 10 most wanted list.
Additionally, under his leadership, the IPPO recovered 807 loose firearms from 173 suspects: 201 through direct police operations, 451 surrendered, and 155 voluntarily deposited.
The police also apprehended 374 bet collectors and seized P135,000 from 146 anti-illegal gambling operations./PN
