Iloilo City donates six patrol cars to boost police mobility

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor and Jennifer P. Rendon

The Iloilo City government turned over six new Toyota Hilux patrol vehicles worth PHP 9.75 million to the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) on Monday, September 29, to enhance law enforcement and public safety.

The vehicles, procured through the city’s Peace and Order Fund, are part of the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s “Buy 1, Give 1” program.

Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu, who led the turnover ceremony at the City Hall grounds, emphasized the city’s commitment to improving police operations, especially in deterring street crimes.

Treñas-Chu also announced that six more patrol vehicles are expected to be delivered within the year.

The mayor said the donations demonstrate the city’s readiness to host high-level events such as the ASEAN Foreign Ministerial Meetings in 2026, where Iloilo City and Boracay Island will serve as co-hosts from February to May.

“They chose Iloilo City because they saw that the city is safe and clean for the guests,” Treñas-Chu said.

ICPO director Col. Kim Legada welcomed the donation, describing it as a significant boost to their operational capability and mobility strength.

“This is a really big boost for our preservation of peace and order in the city. It is better to prevent than to solve crimes,” Legada said.

He added that the patrol vehicles would be crucial for ICPO’s preparation for major national and international events.

“These new patrol vehicles are more than just assets — they represent the trust of the people of Iloilo City through the support of our local government. Rest assured, ICPO will use them to ensure peace, safety, and security for all,” he said.

Two of the new units were assigned to Iloilo City Police Station (ICPS) 10, while one each was allocated to ICPS 1, 3, 6, and 7.

Each unit comes with a corresponding fuel allocation to support ongoing operations.

In January, the city government also donated 80 assault rifles, 250 radio batteries, and three patrol vehicles to the ICPO.

According to ICPO records, the office currently has 61 patrol vehicles, with 53 considered serviceable and eight listed as non-serviceable.

The city government reaffirmed its continued support to improve the mobility, capability, and visibility of the police force in serving the Ilonggo community.