Bacolod, Iloilo City police chiefs prioritize drug campaign

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By Jennifer P. Rendon

New commanders, same priority.

Newly-installed officers-in-charge, Colonel Kim Legada of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) and Colonel Joeresty Coronica of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), will continue to prioritize the fight against illegal drugs.

Legada said he would build on what Coronica, his predecessor, had started at ICPO.

“I will do my best to be at par with what Colonel Coronica has achieved,” he said, adding that his predecessor’s accomplishments are hard to surpass.

In almost one year and six months of Coronica’s tenure, ICPO arrested 877 illegal drug personalities and seized around 19.42 kilograms of suspected shabu with a standard drug price of P132,056,935.

Legada believes that the campaign against illegal drugs should be at the forefront of his leadership.

“Because with the drug menace, everything else follows. If the proliferation of illegal drugs increases, crime incidents also follow,” he said.

Meanwhile, Coronica said he would use the strategies he practiced at ICPO as a template for running BCPO.

“Of course, the lessons I learned from heading ICPO will be useful as we strengthen our campaign against illegal drugs,” he said.

With BCPO now under the Police Regional Office (PRO) – Negros Island Region, Coronica acknowledged potential challenges.

“But just the same, I’m happy to be back at BCPO after more than 17 years,” Coronica, a Bacolod City native, said.

Like Coronica, Legada believes his previous experience with ICPO will be an asset in his new role.

As an Ilonggo himself, he appealed to the public to partner with ICPO in making Iloilo City safe.

Legada emphasized the importance of actual police work.

“Crime prevention will always be a primary concern. That’s why I will push for an improved police presence,” he said.

The newly-activated four police stations will significantly contribute to achieving wider coverage, completing the six police stations needed.

He also pledged to Brigadier General Jack Wanky, Western Visayas police chief, to strive for excellence.

“We should work to our very best,” he said, referring to the Kaizen principle, a Japanese term meaning change for the better or continuous improvement.

As this developed, Legada said he saw no need for a reshuffling at this time.

“Why fix it if it ain’t broke?” he said.

However, Legada noted that some ICPO officers might be relieved and assigned to BCPO.