ICPO’s Security Task Group (STG) convened for its second inter-agency meeting at Camp Achilles D. Plagata in City Proper on Wednesday, Jan. 7.

Led by STG commander and ICPO director Police Colonel Kim P. Legada, the meeting focused on refining strategies for the upcoming Opening Salvo of Kasadyahan sa Kabanwahanan on January 10 and the Dinagyang Festival Opening Salvo on January 11.

Key officials, including PLtCol Lindley T. Barrientos and PLtCol Jereme M. Belo, led discussions with sector commanders and emergency response teams.

The primary agenda covered critical areas such as personnel deployment, crowd control, traffic and route management, and inter-agency coordination to handle the expected surge of locals and tourists.

In a statement, Legada emphasized that security is the backbone of a successful celebration.

“Dinagyang is a celebration of faith and culture, and our responsibility is to ensure that everyone can enjoy it safely. We are refining our plans, strengthening coordination, and working closely with all partners to deliver a secure and orderly festival for all Ilonggos and visitors,” he said.

The ICPO confirmed that a series of follow-up conferences will be held in the coming days to continuously adjust security measures as the main festival week approaches.IMT

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Iloilo City welcomed 2026 in a “generally peaceful” way with zero stray bullet victims, cases of indiscriminate firing, and firecracker-related deaths.

The City Tactical and Operations Center (CTOC) recorded no major security breaches and casualties from New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, 2025, to New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2026.

Police Colonel Kim P. Legada, Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) head, credited the successful holiday operations to the discipline showed by Ilonggos and their cooperation with law enforcement agencies.

“This peaceful celebration is a collective effort of the community. Authorities, local organizations, and residents worked hand in hand to ensure a safe and harmonious environment during the New Year revelries,” he said.

Legada, meanwhile, attributed the zero casualty to their  intensified security protocols under the “Ligtas Paskuhan 2025” initiative.

The ICPO deployed police personnel and force multipliers to conduct foot and mobile patrols, while assistance desks were set up in critical areas across the metropolis.

“We thank our police personnel and the community for their cooperation…We assure the public of our continued commitment to dedicated and responsive police service,” said Legada.IMT

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Proprietor Edgar John Catolin envisions La Maring’s as the “culinary soul of Iloilo,” committed to showcasing the heirloom recipes and forgotten ingredients that distinguish the province of Iloilo. “We want to recover the Ark of Taste and revive the ingredients like batuan and libas and other souring ingredients endemic in the province,” he said, arguing that Western Visayas’ gastronomic reputation should extend far beyond Iloilo City’s famous batchoy and pancit molo.

The quest for Slow Food Travel accreditation

Slow Food Travel is an international accreditation that transforms tourism into an experiential journey, where guests actively participate in the local food system. The program is spearheaded in Western Visayas by Slow Food Negros, which already has accredited destinations in Sagay and Murcia.

Nicole Bacalngco of Slow Food Negros explained the objective: “We are here to validate the readiness of communities…if they are ready for slow food community experience activities.” These are not typical tours; as validator Paul Jasper Javellana emphasized, guests are there to “understand what the farmers are going through” by immersing themselves in the daily routines, such as planting or processing. This allows visitors to fully appreciate the effort and economics behind local food production.

Navigating the business-to-principle challenge

While La Maring’s is accredited to the slow food community and actively promotes local produce and traditions, Catolin is realistic about the hurdles of applying 100% Slow Food principles in a commercial setting. Slow food demands that ingredients be “good, clean, and fair”—a parameter that extends to details like the breed and feed of a chicken, and the local sourcing of everything, including flour for desserts.

“We cannot promise to give it 100% Slow Food all the time because we need to consider the economic side of the operation,” Catolin stated. His strategy is one of innovation and flexibility. The menu features creative dishes that celebrate Ilonggo nostalgia while remaining commercially viable. He also maintained the capability to execute a 100% Slow Food set-up specifically for dedicated Slow Food enthusiasts, ensuring the restaurant can cater to both its local clientele and the high standards of international guests.

Immersive plans

La Maring’s current practices, particularly a cooking demonstration where guests are involved in preparing food surrounded by the restaurant’s garden.

Moving forward, Catolin plans to enhance the experience further. The next phase will involve adding facilities to provide a truly immersive experience—incorporating a visible garden for guests to tour and dedicated areas where they can participate in cooking and preparation.

“We want people to visit this part of Western Visayas and see what the province has to offer, which is different from the city,” Catolin concluded.

With plans for the new, immersive facilities to be in place by the first quarter of 2026, La Maring’s is poised to become a destination that tells the full, rich story of the Panay’s culinary landscape.IMT

Photos by Ian Paul Cordero/IMT NEWS

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The measures include increased police visibility, deployment of traffic enforcers, and the establishment of Police Assistance Desks (PADS) at key locations to ensure peace and order.

“It is essential that we work together to ensure a peaceful and orderly observance,” said ICPO Director Police Colonel Kim P. Legada, emphasizing the need for public cooperation with police officers and force multipliers.

The ICPO is strictly enforcing Executive Order No. 108, Series of 2025, which regulates activities within cemeteries from October 30 to November 2.

Prohibited items and activities include alcoholic beverages, gambling, unregistered drones, unlicensed firearms, overnight stays, and medium or large speakers/videoke machines that cause loud noise.

Furthermore, the ICPO advised residents to take precautions against rising property crimes by securing their homes while away and immediately reporting suspicious activity to their hotlines.

The commitment aligns with the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) goal of providing “fast, honest, and noticeable service” during the solemn observance. IMT

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ICPO Director Police Colonel Kim P. Legada said they are maximizing their resources to ensure a “peaceful, orderly, and meaningful” visitation of departed loved ones.

The preparations include the strategic deployment of personnel for high police visibility across all public and private cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbaria.

Police Assistance Desks (PADs) will be established in areas of convergence to promptly respond to emergencies and provide aid.

Anticipating a large influx of visitors and travelers from October 31 to November 2, ICPO units have been directed to maintain a round-the-clock police presence through patrols, checkpoints, and other preventive measures in areas like major highways, seaports, bus terminals, and malls.

The ICPO also coordinated with the Transportation Management and Traffic Regulation Office (TMRO), barangay officials, and force multipliers to guarantee effective traffic management and crowd control.

Furthermore, intensified police operations will be conducted, and “target-hardening measures” will be enforced in vital installations to prevent crime and maintain public safety.

Legada reminded the public to be aware of prohibited items and activities within cemeteries and urged both residents and tourists to be “responsible, vigilant, and cooperative” with officers to ensure a safe celebration for everyone.

The public can seek assistance by visiting the nearest ICPO police station or by calling their hotlines at 0908-377-0194 and (033) 335-0299, or by dialing 911 for emergencies.IMT

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The region logged a total of 14,380 crimes from January to September this year, down by 209 cases from 14,589 crimes recorded in the same period a year ago.

Incidents under the Peace and Order Indicator (POI) also  dropped by 10.54 percent, from 6,382 in 2024 to 5,722 this year.

POI, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP),”covers the crimes that reflect true crime picture and peace and order situation of a community.” It “comprises the totality of the Index and Non-Index Crimes.”

Index Crimes (serious offenses like murder, robbery, and rape) declined by 20.74 percent, from 1,591 incidents to 1,261.

Non-Index Crimes (violations of special laws and other offenses) also fell by 6.89 percent, from 4,791 to 4,461 cases.

Focus Crimes (murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, and carjacking of motor vehicles and motorcycles) saw a 20.88 percent decrease, from 1,585 to 1,254.

Police Brigadier General Josefino D. Ligan, PRO-6 director, attributed the “steady decline” to intensified law enforcement operations, proactive community engagement, and strengthened collaboration with local government units (LGUs).

“This downtrend in criminal incidents mirrors the dedication of our personnel and the cooperation of our communities. We will continue to sustain this momentum to ensure the safety and security of all Western Visayans,” he said.IMT

The post Crime incidents in WV on ‘steady decline’ first appeared on Iloilo Metropolitan Times.

From January 1 to September 30 this year, the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) carried out 542 anti-drug operations.

The operations resulted in the apprehension of 727 drug suspects and the confiscation of shabu worth P136 million and marijuana valued at nearly P19 thousand.

Of the arrested suspects, 219 were considered high-value individuals (HVIs), 474 were classified as street-level individuals (SVIs), 5 were unlisted, 11 were minors, and 18 had existing arrest warrants.

The Iloilo City Police Station 4 (ICPS4) logged the highest number of arrests at 106, followed closely by the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) with 97.

The City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) recorded the largest haul of illegal drugs, seizing 6,617.4561 grams of shabu worth almost P45 million.

The Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU-6) in coordination with the ICPO came in second with 3,555.0053 grams of shabu worth over P24 million.

Police Colonel Kim P. Legada, ICPO director, commended his units for their “relentless and outstanding performance,” highlighting their firm commitment to the fight against illegal drugs.

“These accomplishments mirror your dedication to duty and to the people we have sworn to serve. Keep it up as we continue to go after individuals who seek to destroy our youth’s future, our community, and our country,” he said.

“This is our quest. Let us remain united in cleansing our society of illegal drugs,” he added.IMT

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The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) received a significant boost in its operational capabilities with the turnover of six new Toyota Hilux patrol vehicles from the city government.

The turnover ceremony was led by Mayor Raisa Treñas and other city officials, underscoring the local government’s initiative to strengthen law enforcement and ensure public safety throughout the city.

The vehicles were received by ICPO head Police Colonel Kim P. Legada, who expressed his profound gratitude for the city government’s unwavering support.

According to Legada, the new assets are crucial for enhancing police response and visibility, particularly as Iloilo City prepares to host major events, including the ASEAN Summit, next year.

“These new patrol vehicles are more than just assets; they represent the trust of the people of Iloilo City through the support of our local government,” he said in his acceptance speech.

“Rest assured, ICPO will use them to ensure peace, safety, and security for all,” he added.

Of the vehicles, two have been assigned to Iloilo City Police Station (ICPS 10) and one each to ICPS1, ICPS3, ICPS6, and ICPS7.IMT

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ICPO head Police Colonel Kim P. Legada issued on Thursday, Sept. 25, a directive mobilizing its personnel and resources.

The move aims to ensure a swift and effective response to any emergencies that may arise due to the weather disturbance.

This, according to Legada, follows the guidance from Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr.

“We want to assure the public that your police force is fully prepared to provide timely assistance, respond to emergencies, and maintain peace and order during this inclement weather,” he said.

To facilitate a coordinated effort, the ICPO is working closely with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and monitoring weather updates from state weather bureau PAGASA.

Specialized Search and Rescue (SAR) teams are on standby for potential rescue operations, while mobile patrol units have been tasked with monitoring flood-prone areas and other critical locations across the city.

The ICPO advised the public to stay alert and heed official advisories.

Residents in need of emergency assistance can call 911, contact the ICPO hotline at 0908-377-0194 or (033) 335-0299, or visit the nearest police station.IMT

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The dedicated desk will serve as a “one-stop-shop” for all complaints, inquiries, and concerns related to illegal activities online.

This initiative, in partnership with the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit (RACU), comes as ICPO anticipates a rise in cybercrime cases during the holiday season.

“Our focus is on the safety of Ilonggos, both online and offline, as we are anticipating to deal with more cyber cases,” ICPO spokesperson Police Major Shella Mae Sangrines told IMT NEWS.

“The goal is to lessen the impact if we cannot completely prevent these cases. We are anticipating a rise in digital incidents involving scamming online,” she further said.

To capacitate the new desk, Sangrines said the RACU has committed to providing training to four assigned investigators from the ICPO.

The training will equip the investigators with the necessary skills to handle cybercrime complaints, such as money scams and “love scams,” which have been identified as prevalent issues.

“The RACU chief met with our city director. They will capacitate four of our investigators so that the ICPO will have its own police personnel trained to handle cybercrime complaints, preventing the need to refer victims directly to the regional unit,” said Sangrines.

The establishment of the cybercrime desk is part of the ICPO’s proactive campaign these “ber” months (September to December). This period, according to ICPO, traditionally sees an increase in crimes against property as more money circulates due to various occasions and holiday spending.

“During the ‘ber’ months, many people are sending money, shopping, and selling. This presents an opportunity for criminals if we are not vigilant with our valuables, cash-on-hand, and even our savings, which could be lost to scams or hacking,” Sangrines  warned.

Aside from assisting victims, the cybercrime desk will also spearhead a strengthened awareness campaign to educate the public on how to avoid falling prey to online scammers.IMT

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