ILOILO City – Since 2019, the Treñas administration has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), providing over P477 million in assistance.
This support has significantly contributed to the ICPO’s operational capabilities, enabling them to enhance safety and security measures for the community and achieve significant accomplishments against criminalities and illegal drugs.
Data from the City Budget Office showed the city government was able to extend P54.1-million assistance to the police in 2019; P43.4 million in 2020; P59.4 million in 2021; P196.3 million in 2022; P76.3 million in 2023, and P47.5 million for this year.
Aside from its maintenance and other operating expenses which included travel and meal allowances, training and fuel expenses, office equipment and supplies, other remarkable assistance which the city government gave included the provision of patrol cars; motorcycles; firearms; construction of Jaro Police Station and SWAT Headquarters and Firing Range; rehabilitation of ICPO COMPAC Building; and construction of eight Iloilo City Action and Response (ICARE) centers.
The city government’s support for the local police has been fruitful, as evidenced by the latter’s exemplary performance in maintaining safety and security for all residents and visitors.
For anti-illegal drugs operations alone, from Jan. 1, 2019 to Sept. 30, 2024, the ICPO conducted 1,278 police operations which include 1,163 buy-bust operations arresting 1,822 persons composed of 1,722 pushers and 100 users.
Of these operations, 24,862.0499 grams of shabu were confiscated; 126.631 grams of marijuana; and 200 ml rugby.
The total volume of shabu seized has a market value amounting to P169-million.
Meantime, for the first half of October this year, the city police has surpassed their achievements for the entire month of September 2024, particularly on their drug operations. A total of 2.1 kilos of illegal drugs, valued at P14.3 million has been confiscated during the period.
Subsequently, in just two days on Oct. 17 to 18, three more anti-illegal drugs operations were conducted yielding approximately 1.3 kilos of suspected shabu with estimated total market amounting to P9.4 million.
Aside from drug operations, the ICPO has also achieved impressive results in areas such as confiscating illegal firearms and explosives, curbing illegal gambling, arresting wanted persons, and enforcing our city ordinances.
Such efforts of the local police have garnered well-deserved commendations from no less than Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, highlighting the positive impact of their dedicated service on the community.
“The ICPO can be assured that the City Government will continue to fully support their relentless pursuit of a drug-free city. The people of Iloilo City extend their gratitude and appreciation. I salute the leadership of Police Colonel Kim Legada, our City Director, as well as the Chiefs of Police,” he added.
Legada, on his part, expressed his appreciation to the City Mayor.
“We are very lucky to have a very supportive local chief executive especially sa aton nga kampanya against illegal drugs. With this kind of commitment and collaboration, wala sang imposible. Ang tanan nga mga problema masolusyunan, ang tanan nga kakulangan mapunuan. With that, let us continue what we have started,” said Legada./PN
