13 ‘druggies’, 22 ‘gamblers’ nabbed under new IPPO chief

By Jennifer P. Rendon

When Colonel Ronaldo Palomo assumed post as director of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), he vowed to go after four pressing concerns – illegal gambling, illegal drugs, illegal fishing, and mining, which could have meant quarry operations.

Ten days into office, Palomo claimed that the IPPO units were able to deliver accomplishments in various law enforcement operations.

From March 4 to 13, records from the IPPO Provincial Operations Management Unit indicated that 13 drug personalities were arrested in an equal number of buy-bust operations.

These anti-narcotics operations were conducted by Tigbauan, Leganes, Pavia, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, Pototan, Barotac Nuevo, Dingle, San Enrique, Concepcion, Estancia, San Rafael, and Sara municipal police stations.

On illegal gambling, 22 persons were arrested in the same period.

But the record did not specify how many of them were involved in bookies operations.

Also, 38 fishermen were apprehended in 17 anti-illegal fishing operations in the province.

The Concepcion MPS conducted the most number of operations at eight.

Meanwhile, there were seven persons arrested for illegal quarry operations.

The Zarraga MPS topped the most number of operations at three.

Meanwhile, IPPO units also arrested 72 wanted persons.

Eleven of whom are on the most wanted persons (MWP) list.

The Janiuay, Dumangas, and Ajuy Municipal police stations had the highest number of arrested most wanted persons with two each.

On the other hand, four persons were arrested for illegal possession of firearms in Cabatuan, Janiuay, Dumangas, and Barotac Viejo town.

Twenty-three loose firearms and three explosives were also surrendered during the 10-day period.