PRO-6 arrests 160 in weeklong environmental crackdown
By Jennifer P. Rendon
ILOILO CITY — The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) arrested 160 individuals in one week as part of its intensified campaign against environmental violations and other illegal activities.
From Oct. 5 to 11, 2026, PRO-6 records showed that different police units made 64 arrests in 39 anti-illegal fishing operations.
Police confiscated fish and fishing paraphernalia valued at PHP 3.03 million during the operations.
Another 34 individuals were apprehended in 94 anti-illegal logging operations, which led to the recovery of forest products and related materials valued at PHP 242,545.
During the seven-day period, police in the region also arrested 26 individuals in 49 anti-smuggling operations.
Three individuals were arrested in eight anti-illegal quarrying operations, while 33 others were apprehended for violations of related laws and ordinances.
The operations were carried out under Project Tanod Kalikasan 6, in line with Oplan Sagip Kalikasan, which strengthens police efforts to protect the region’s forests, coastal waters and communities.
Project Tanod Kalikasan 6 is a PRO-6 regionwide environmental protection campaign aimed at protecting forests, marine resources and natural habitats through law enforcement, intelligence-driven operations, interagency cooperation and community reporting.
Reports indicated that from June 1 to Sept. 30, authorities conducted 799 operations across Western Visayas that led to the arrest of 1,323 individuals for various environmental violations.
Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño, Western Visayas police chief, said the campaign goes beyond making arrests and emphasized the importance of protecting natural resources that support the livelihoods of many families in the region.
“Our forests and coastal waters are important to the livelihood of our communities. That is why we take these violations seriously. We will continue working with our partner agencies and local communities to protect these resources and make sure that everyone follows the law,” he added.
Tuaño also encouraged residents to help safeguard the environment by reporting suspected illegal fishing, logging, quarrying and other unlawful activities to the nearest police station or appropriate government agency.
Tuaño said every individual has a part to play in protecting the environment.
“If you see something that may be illegal, report it to the proper authorities,” he said.
Such information could help authorities act early and prevent further damage to natural resources.
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