PRO NIR touts first-year crime crackdown

BACOLOD CITY — The Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region marked its first anniversary on March 27 by highlighting a year of intensified law enforcement operations that led to thousands of arrests, major drug seizures, and the recovery of firearms across Negros Island, according to a regional police news release.

From March 27, 2025, to March 20, 2026, PRO NIR said it carried out sustained operations against wanted persons, illegal drugs, illegal gambling, loose firearms, illegal fishing, and smuggling as it framed its first year as a test of its newly established regional command structure.

In its campaign against wanted persons, PRO NIR said it apprehended 3,841 fugitives, including 693 most wanted persons and 3,148 other wanted persons.

In anti-illegal drug operations, the regional police office said it conducted 2,281 operations that resulted in 2,708 arrests. Authorities said they confiscated 44,997.57 grams of shabu with a standard drug price of PHP 305,983,476, and 12,993.01 grams of marijuana with a standard drug price of PHP 1,559,161.20.

In the campaign against illegal gambling, PRO NIR said it conducted 831 operations, arrested 1,912 individuals, and confiscated PHP 324,012.55 in bet money.

Against loose firearms, the police said they carried out 56,914 operations that led to 374 arrests. The same campaign resulted in the recovery, surrender, or confiscation of 1,601 loose firearms, while 177 firearms were placed in safekeeping.

In anti-illegal fishing operations, PRO NIR said it conducted 232 operations, arrested 657 individuals, and confiscated about PHP 321,775 worth of fish and PHP 13,081,550 worth of fishing paraphernalia.

In its anti-smuggling drive, the regional police office said it logged 171 operations, arrested 85 people, and confiscated around PHP 22,365,648 worth of smuggled goods.

The Negros Island Region police office was created as part of the government’s push to align police administration with the revived Negros Island Region, which groups Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, and Negros Oriental under one regional framework. For police officials, the first-year operational report serves as an early measure of how the regional office is consolidating enforcement efforts across the island.

Police said the figures reflect what they described as an intelligence-driven and community-focused approach to law enforcement, with operations supported by coordination with local communities and stakeholders.

PBGEN Arnold Thomas C. Ibay, regional director of PRO NIR, said the milestone reflected the work of police personnel across the island.

“As we celebrate the first anniversary of the Police Regional Office Negros Island Region, I extend my deepest gratitude to all our personnel for their unwavering dedication, professionalism, and relentless pursuit of justice. Over the past year, the personnel have demonstrated extraordinary courage, discipline, and resolve in safeguarding our communities, apprehending wanted persons, dismantling criminal syndicates, and enforcing the law with unwavering integrity. These remarkable accomplishments are a testament to the collective vigilance and steadfast commitment of our men and women in uniform. Moving forward, we remain resolute in our mission to protect the people, strengthen public safety, and sustain peace and order across the region. One year, One Mission, One Secure Negros Island Region”

The anniversary report comes as law enforcement agencies nationwide continue to emphasize anti-criminality campaigns, drug interdiction, and firearms control as key public safety priorities. In Negros Island, where authorities also contend with coastal resource violations and illicit trade, the breadth of the PRO NIR figures underscores the range of enforcement challenges facing the region.

PRO NIR said it will continue to intensify operations against criminality, uphold the rule of law, and strengthen public service as it enters its second year.