ILOILO City – The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) said it has not monitored private armed groups (PAGs) in Western Visayas – at this time.
“But we have to continue monitoring. Hindi pa kasi nagsimula ang campaign ng local candidates,” said Police Brigadier General Flynn Dongbo, regional police director.
The campaign of national level candidates started on Feb. 8. That of local candidates commences next month.
“We are wary of politicos who could be tapping the services of armed groups to advance their candidacies,” said Dongbo.
He urged the public to alert the local police if they have knowledge about political candidate harboring armed groups.
Most PAGs are fugitives and guns-for-hire, said Dongbo.
He also instructed his men to further intensify their operations against loose firearms and wanted persons.
Records from PRO-6 in 2021 showed total of 325 persons were arrested for possessing unlicensed firearm./PN