ICPO reaches out to CHED, DepEd over drug concerns

ILOILO CITY — On top of school shooting threats, the Iloilo City Police Office also has concerns over illegal drugs on its agenda.

To address these concerns, ICPO acknowledged the need to strengthen its preventive and community-based approach to protect students from the risks associated with illegal drugs.

As an initial step, the ICPO hierarchy held a coordination meeting on Sept. 29 with education and law enforcement partners.

The meeting focused on concerns over the reported distribution of marijuana in Iloilo City, particularly measures that could help protect students and strengthen prevention efforts.

The meeting was attended by PNP representatives Police Col. Aladdin Dingal, Regional Community Affairs and Development Unit chief; ICPO director Police Col. Wilbert Parilla; Police Lt. Col. Donnel Regis, ICPO City Intelligence Unit chief; Police Maj. Shella Mae Sangrines, CCADU chief and concurrent ICPO chief; Police Maj. Jerly Mae Lapasaran of the Regional Intelligence Division; and Police Maj. Froilan Domicle of the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 6.

Representing the academe were Education Supervisor II Mitchelle Lopez; Gregorio Perez of the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office 6; and Department of Education-Iloilo City representatives Flore Cria Ider Garcia and Lodger Deslate Jr.

The discussion revolved around proposed capacity-building activities for parents and the possible creation of cyber warriors in schools as part of broader demand-reduction and information-awareness strategies.

The participants also discussed a proposed memorandum of agreement that would establish a more uniform and coordinated approach to addressing marijuana-related concerns and other issues affecting school safety and security.

Parilla emphasized that the initiative is intended to protect students through awareness, coordination and shared responsibility.

“We are reaching out not to create fear, but to save and protect our students,” he added.

Parilla said there is a need for a unified effort to address the concern and ensure that students are equipped with enough knowledge to make informed decisions and say no to illegal drugs.