ICPO: Iloilo City’s drug situation remains manageable
The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) has maintained that the city’s illegal drug situation remains manageable despite the almost daily anti-drug operations conducted by law enforcement authorities.
ICPO Director Col. Wilbert Parilla said the frequency of anti-illegal drug operations should not be interpreted as a worsening drug problem but rather as proof of the police force’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs.
“The almost daily or weekly operations only show that our anti-drug campaign has become more aggressive and proactive,” he said.
The police chief, however, acknowledged the presence of individuals considered as drug lords in Iloilo City but stressed that authorities have not monitored the existence of any organized drug syndicate operating in the city.
Parilla said the ICPO continues to prioritize the arrest of high-value individuals (HVIs) rather than focusing solely on street-level drug personalities to further weaken the local drug trade.
The ICPO also reported that 60 of Iloilo City’s 180 barangays have yet to be declared drug-cleared.
According to Parilla, some barangays still have drug users and pushers who have not completed the Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Program (CBDRP), while others have yet to comply with documentary requirements necessary for drug-cleared certification.
He added that some drug personalities refuse to undergo rehabilitation, while others face economic challenges that hinder their participation in the program. To address these concerns, the police are coordinating with barangay officials and the local government to provide the necessary interventions and assistance.
Meanwhile, the ICPO continues to coordinate with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) following reports that some persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) may still be involved in illegal drug activities.
Despite these challenges, Parilla emphasized that the city’s overall peace and order situation remains stable, noting that crime incidence continues to be low and that authorities have not detected any organized drug syndicates operating in Iloilo City.
He said the sustained anti-drug campaign will continue as part of the police force’s commitment to keeping the city safe from illegal drugs and related criminal activities.IMT
