ILOILO – More than 3,000 individuals were arrested and millions of pesos worth of illegal drugs, firearms, and other contrabands were confiscated during the first year of Police Colonel Bayani Razalan’s leadership at the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO), marking a banner year in law enforcement operations across the province.
Between April 19, 2024 and April 19, 2025, the IPPO launched a series of high-impact campaigns targeting key criminal activities — producing results that highlight the unit’s aggressive crackdown on crime and unwavering commitment to public safety.
The province-wide anti-drug operations led the charge, with 370 operations resulting in the arrest of 475 suspects, including 117 high-value targets. A total of 15,863.41 grams of illegal drugs, valued at P106.7 million, were seized, while 990 cases were filed in court.
In pursuit of fugitives, the IPPO carried out 1,064 operations, leading to the arrest of 1,066 wanted individuals, 252 of whom were tagged as Most Wanted Persons. These operations affirm the provincial police’s sustained drive to bring lawbreakers to justice.
Crackdowns on illegal gambling also intensified, with 146 operations yielding 374 arrests and the confiscation of P135,521 in gambling money. A total of 154 cases were filed.
Efforts to curb the proliferation of loose firearms resulted in 198 operations, leading to the arrest of 173 individuals and the confiscation of 201 firearms. An additional 606 firearms were either surrendered or deposited for safekeeping, bringing the total to 807 firearms accounted for.
Environmental violations were likewise addressed with urgency. The IPPO’s 300 anti-illegal fishing operations led to the apprehension of 806 individuals and the seizure of 466 fishing vessels, with the confiscated marine catch valued at P1.01 million.
In the fight against illegal quarrying, 296 operations saw the arrest of 317 individuals and the impounding of 314 vehicles. Meanwhile, operations against illegal logging led to 19 arrests and the seizure of 3,885.9 board feet of lumber, worth P177,745.
“These numbers reflect more than just operational success — they represent the dedication and hard work of our personnel and the strong support of the Ilonggo community,” said Razalan. “Every arrest, every seizure, is a step toward a safer and more secure Iloilo.”
He also emphasized that the scale of these accomplishments demonstrates a police force that is both strategic and relentless in addressing crime across all sectors.
As Razalan marks his first year as provincial police director, the IPPO is reaffirming its commitment to further intensify its operations and expand community partnerships in pursuit of lasting peace and order./PN