ILOILO CITY — The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) will enhance operations as a preemptive measure against criminality, which usually increases during the so-called “ber” months.
Senior Supt. Martin Defensor Jr., ICPO director, on Monday said people from the outskirts flock to the city during these months when a lot of activities are held especially at the onset of December.
“Expect that the incidents will really increase,” he said.
As part of the preparations, Defensor said that they will increase beat patrol and maximize police visibility even as checkpoints and chokepoints are already established.
“Basically, it’s the same but we will just re-energize, enhance,” Defensor added.
Meanwhile, he lamented that the crime situation in the city was not good last week because of a series of incidents, particularly murder, which are all still under investigation.
On the brighter side, two major operations were conducted where newly-identified drug personalities were arrested while a high-powered firearm was recovered from the house of the son on an ex-mayor, he said.
Defensor added that the city police will not relax its campaign against illegal drugs, the problem on which continues to persist.
“We will continue to enhance our operation. Expect more buy-bust, expect more saturation drive because we have already identified areas where there are frequent illegal drug activities,” he said.
He assured that they will continue to observe due process as they go along with the operations.
“I always believe in the spirit of law. I always say this to the people that I will be fair; no foul play. It will always be legitimate police operations,” Defensor assured. (Perla Lena/PNA)
