ILOILO – The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) is monitoring two criminal gangs operating in the province.
IPPO director, Police Colonel Ronaldo Palomo, identified them as the Libuna and Bagatnan groups.
“They do not belong nor have the potential to be private armed groups, just criminal gangs. They organized themselves for robbery,” Palomo told the Iloilo Provincial Capitol Press Corps.
The two groups continue to exist because their respective leaders and 50 percent of their members have not yet been arrested, added Palomo.
Right after assuming office, and after receiving an order from Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., the IPPO director ordered tracker teams to neutralize the two groups.
“Amo to hambal ni gov, dapat ma-dissolve ang criminal gangs,” said Palomo.
However, he did not give a timeline as to when the two groups would be completely dissolved.
Peace and order attract investors
Defensor said the peace and order situation in the province was also discussed during the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)-Iloilo chapter meeting on March 9, particularly in aiming to attract investors.
“Siling ko we will take this opportunity to discuss other aspects of peace and order,” said Defensor.
The governor said Iloilo is in the position to become an investment hotspot with the availability of resources like water, electricity, road connectivity, and internet connectivity.
“Ginhimu naton to nga take-off for other matters, regarding peace and order, that is very important in our development thrust,” added Defensor./PN
