The director of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) refuted reports of criminal gangs currently regrouping to carry out criminal acts in the province.
“There are no criminal gangs in the province,” affirmed IPPO director, Police Colonel Gilbert Gorero, adding he recently conducted an inspection in northern Iloilo and he has not received any information regarding the regrouping.
According to reports, these criminal gangs engaged in robbery, drug trafficking, gunrunning, and gun-for-hire activities and are operating in northern Iloilo, particularly in the towns of Sara, San Rafael and Lemery in the fifth district and San Enrique town and Passi City in the fourth district.
“There is no truth to that report. But, we still have to verify, we will not be complacent. We will be watchful and continue to coordinate with the community so that we can immediately get information,” Gorero said.
Gorero said he had already instructed the police chiefs in the province to be alert at all times, strengthen their barangay information network and utilize their intelligence personnel to monitor their areas of responsibility.
He also directed his men to conduct more operations against loose firearms and 24-hour checkpoint in all strategic areas, and implement search warrants.
“We are appealing to the people of Iloilo to help us by giving us information. Let us help one another to keep Iloilo province peaceful,” the IPPO director added./WDJ