ILOILO – The coronavirus disease pandemic could lead to the deterioration of the province’s peace and order situation, said Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. He urged the incoming director of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), Police Colonel Gilbert Gorero, to focus on this concern.
The restrictive community quarantine which started in March has resulted to economic slowdown, business closures and job retrenchments. This could drive some people to commit crimes, said Defensor.
Gorero paid Defensor a visit yesterday morning at the provincial capitol. He was accompanied by outgoing IPPO director, Police Colonel Paul Kenneth Lucas whose new assignment is as Chief Directorial Staff of the Philippine National Police – Finance Service in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
“Of course, padayunon man ang pagtapna sang illegal drugs,” said Defensor.
The IPPO’s campaign against illegal drugs improved under Lucas, the governor pointed out.
The provincial police under Lucas arrested 119 drug pushers and seized P139,937 worth of shabu in 93 operations. Also, 84 persons were arrested in 93 operations against loose firearms.
Months of community quarantine in this province beginning March have resulted to massive economic losses reaching P22,403,041,947.55, according to Defensor.
Sectors affected included tourism (P2.6 billion), business/trade (P6.9 billion), agriculture (P119 million), transport (P191 million), employment (P6.2 billion), remittances from overseas workers (P380 million), information technology (P2.5 billion), and airline industry (P2.3 billion).
The current modified general community quarantine’s regime of relaxed measures “provides an environment more conducive to the implementation of a plan for the rehabilitation and recovery of the province,” said Defensor.
Gorero was urged to sustain the IPPO’s responses to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), mainly related to community quarantine measures.
At quarantine control points and the province’s borders, policemen have been making sure that minimum health safety protocols are being followed such as the wearing of facemask and face shield, physical distancing, curfew from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., prohibition on mass gatherings and drinking of liquor in public.
“We will sit down (again). I told Colonel Lucas to brief him (Gorero). We will continue kon ano ang ginbilin sa aton ni Colonel Lucas,” said Defensor.
Today is the turnover of command between Gorero and Lucas at Camp Delgado, the headquarters of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6). The ceremony at Maringal Hall begins at 10 a.m.
Defensor cited Lucas, who was assigned to the IPPO just this February, for a productive eight-month stint, most especially in matters related to the enforcement of the community quarantine.
“We are very satisfied with his performance. He implemented the police component of our COVID-19 response, especially ang aton checkpoints, ang pagbantay sa mga delivery trucks from critical areas. We commend and thank Colonel Lucas for serving the province of Iloilo,” said Defensor.
For his part, Lucas thanked Defensor for supporting the IPPO. He also expressed gratitude to all mayors, the various police chiefs, and residents of the province.
Gorero said his other focus would be internal cleansing of the IPPO and reformation of erring police personnel.
His IPPO assignment was contained in a special order from Camp Crame, No. NHQ-SO -URA-2020-5184.
Gorero, formerly the chief of the PRO-6’s Regional Plan and Strategy Management Division, was promoted to Police Colonel from Police Lieutenant Colonel just a few months ago.
The PRO-6 received the special order from the Philippine National Police national headquarters on Sept. 15./PN
