PRO-6 catches over 9,000 ordinance violators

By Jennifer P. Rendon

More than 9,000 individuals were apprehended for violating local laws and ordinances as the Police Regional Office 6 intensified police visibility and public order operations across Western Visayas.

From May 1 to 23, 2026, PRO-6 consolidated reports showed that 9,211 persons were apprehended for ordinance violations.

The most common violation involved traffic code infractions, with 4,600 cases, or a little over 50 percent of the total.

Drinking and smoking in public places logged 2,750 violations, followed by minors violating curfew hours with 839 cases and persons roaming the streets without shirts with 521 cases.

Authorities also recorded 3,370 violators who paid fines, while 6,259 individuals were warned or released in accordance with existing ordinances and community-based interventions.

On May 23 alone, PRO-6 apprehended 422 violators regionwide, with traffic violations accounting for the highest number at 169.

This was followed by drinking and smoking in public places with 154 cases.

Police Brig. Gen. Randulf T. Tuaño, PRO-6 acting regional director, said the intensified campaign is part of the police force’s commitment to preserving peace and promoting public discipline through visible and responsive policing.

“Ang pagpapatupad ng mga lokal na ordinansa ay hindi lamang tungkol sa paghuli ng mga lumalabag. Ito ay pagpapaalala sa bawat isa na may responsibilidad tayong panatilihing ligtas, maayos, at disiplinado ang ating mga komunidad,” Tuaño said.

He said police presence and consistent enforcement play a vital role in preventing disorder and strengthening public trust in law enforcement.

“Through sustained police operations and community cooperation, we can create safer public spaces and reinforce respect for the law. Our goal is to ensure that every community in Western Visayas feels secure and protected,” he said.

Tuaño said the initiative is anchored on his leadership mantra of “Responsive, Trusted, and Transformative Policing for a Safer Western Visayas.”

He said the campaign also reflects PRO-6’s commitment to professional, community-oriented and service-driven policing in support of the PNP Focus Agenda under the vision of “Bagong PNP para sa Bagong Pilipinas: Serbisyong Mabilis, Tapat at Nararamdaman.”

“Hindi lang ito simpleng law enforcement campaign. Ito ay bahagi ng mas malawak nating layunin na mailapit ang serbisyo ng pulisya sa mamamayan at mapalakas ang tiwala ng publiko sa ating kapulisan,” Tuaño added.

He urged the public to continue observing local ordinances and cooperate with authorities in sustaining peace and order across Western Visayas.

Local ordinance enforcement is usually handled by local government units with support from police, especially for public order measures such as traffic rules, curfew policies, anti-smoking regulations and restrictions on drinking in public places.