ILOILO City – Mayor Jerry P. Treñas disclosed it was he who sought for a change in the Iloilo City Police Office’s (ICPO) leadership. He also asked for a renewed drive against illegal drugs.
Treñas’ request came following the Jan. 25 arrest of 32 individuals in an anti-illegal drug operation carried out by the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (RDEU) in Barangay Bakhaw, Mandurriao district.
The operation also resulted to the confiscation of P918,000 worth of suspected shabu.
“I am one with the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) secretary when he called for a reinvigorated drive against illegal drugs,” said Treñas.
Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) director, Police Brigadier General Leo Francisco, on Thursday, Jan. 26, ordered the relief of ICPO director Colonel Leo Batiles. The turnover of command was held the next day. Police Colonel Joeresty Coronica replaced Batiles.
While Treñas commended the RDEU for the Bakhaw operation, he expressed concern that the barangay is again becoming a hotbed of drug trafficking after six years of lull during the Duterte administration.
“I am ordering the police to conduct mobile checkpoints. Anti-drug operations should be continuous,” he stressed.
Treñas said the city government has long been supportive of the police in terms of police patrol cars, gasoline allocation for police vehicles, firearms and ammunition, Special Weapons and Tactics equipment, and allowances to police personnel, among others.
“The city government is more than doing its part. I am now calling on the Philippine National Police to also do its part,” he stressed./PN
