ILOILO City – To deter crimes in the metropolis, the newly installed director of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), Police Colonel Leo Batiles, wants to increase police presence on the streets.
According to Batiles, his men would strengthen their partnership with force multipliers such as barangay tanods and councilmen.
“Ang barangay officials amo ang una makabalo sang nagakatabo sa ila lugar. So we need them to actively participate,” he added.
Non-stop checkpoints would be enforced, according to Batiles.
“We will also watch over establishments,” he said.
Batiles formally assumed his post yesterday following the turnover ceremony led by Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) director, Police Brigadier General Rolando Miranda.
Batiles replaced Police Colonel Uldarico Garbanzos who will retire next month.
Batiles, who hails from Capiz, was a graduate of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Class 1994.
He was a former commander of the Regional Force Battalion 6 (RFB-6), assistant commander of the Regional Operations and Plans Division of PRO-18, and company commander of a mobile group in Capiz.
He had stints, too, with police stations in Roxas City (Capiz), Nabas and Altavas (Aklan), and Escalante City and Sipalay City (Negros Occidental).
Batiles also completed Special Action Force (SAF) and airborne courses.
“Our new ICPO director is a seasoned police official who has enough experience both in administrative work and operations,” said Police Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Solis, PRO-6 spokesperson.
Batiles will also look into unsolved crimes and intensify the campaign against illegal drugs and other illegal activities.
The most recent unsolved case was the shooting to death of businessman Hamza Kayani on Oct. 9 at Fort San Pedro Drive, Barangay Veterans Village./PN
