ILOILO CITY (PIA6) -- The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) has consistently intensified its anti-illegal drugs campaign in the metro as its operations for CY 2023 have already increased to 181.89 percent.

This was revealed by Police Lieutenant Colonel Lindley Barrientos, Deputy City Director for Administration, during the joint meeting of the Iloilo City Peace and Order Council and Anti-Drug Abuse Council on Feb. 21, noting that the police conducted 358 positive operations in CY 2023, higher compared to only 127 in 2022.

Meanwhile, Barrientos reported that aside from anti-illegal drugs operations, the ICPO was able to arrest a total of 443 wanted persons in Iloilo City, which is 40.63 percent higher compared to 315 arrested suspects in 2022

The authorities also conducted 103 anti-illegal gambling operations, which resulted to the arrest of 395 persons, confiscation of P128,866 bet money, and 103 cases filed in court.

Barrientos stressed that the enhanced and strict implementation of the integrated patrol deployment plans in different identified priority areas have "effectively addressed the occurrence of crime incidents."

"The intensified law enforcement operations and the unprecedented support of the LGU and other stakeholders to the ICPO's anti-criminality initiatives redounded to the improvement of the community's security and safety," she added.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Trenas, on the other hand, commended the Philippine National Police (PNP), Army and Coast Guard for their help in maintaining the security and safety of the public, especially during the Dinagyang Festival and Chinese New Year celebration.

"They have handled the Dinagyang very well. We did not hear of any serious incident and we handled it very well, including the Chinese New Year. This coming March, we are going to have Paraw Regatta Festival, and I hope it will be the same," Trenas said. (AAL/JNH/PIA Iloilo)