Iloilo province’s crime volume down by 43%

By Jennifer P. Rendon

There would be no letup in the campaign against criminality in Iloilo.

This is the assurance of Colonel Ronaldo Palomo, Iloilo police director, as he vowed Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO)’s commitment to curb crime incidents.

Since Palomo took over IPPO’s helm on March 3, the Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Unit recorded a 43.94 percent decrease in the number of eight focus crimes.

Records indicated that from March 4 to April 3, 2023, police logged 37 incidents of murder, homicide, rape, physical injury, robbery, theft, motor vehicle theft and motorcycle theft. The number for the same months in 2022 was 66 cases.

In a press statement, the IPPO attributed this reduction in crime incidents to Palomo’s “introduction of strategies that put premium on crime prevention.”

Meanwhile, intensified legal offensives against all forms of criminal activities are also being implemented.

From March 4 to March 31, IPPO units also conducted 26 drug operations that led to the arrest of 30 drug personalities.

They also confiscated 406.847 grams of shabu with a standard value of P2.766 million.

The IPPO also arrested 185 wanted persons, 31 of whom were on the most wanted list.

The application of search warrants, conduct of checkpoint and other law enforcement operations resulted in the arrest of 17 gun owners and the confiscation of 18 unlicensed guns.

On the other hand, 71 firearms were surrendered or deposited to police stations through the sustained implementation of Tokhang Kontra Armas Luthang (TKAL).

Also, 28 anti-illegal gambling operations were conducted that resulted in the arrest of 73 persons.

IPPO also caused the arrest of 115 persons in 47 anti-illegal fishing operations.