In a bid to counter increasingly sophisticated criminal tactics, the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) officially launched a proactive community-backed intelligence initiative called IHUTIK KAY TSIP.
The program aims to establish a direct pipeline for citizens and private security personnel to securely feed vital information to the police, transforming ordinary community members into active partners in crime prevention.
The formal rollout took place during an ICPO coordination meeting with representatives from 39 local security agencies at the Old Conference Room of the ICPO Headquarters in Camp Achilles D. Plagata on Wednesday, May 20.
The launch of IHUTIK KAY TSIP is strategically timed to address several looming public safety concerns.
Aside from gearing up for the opening of classes for School Year 2026–2027, the ICPO is preparing for the onset of the rainy season—a period historically linked to an uptick in theft and robberies.
Crucially, the initiative comes in response to recent reports of “termite gang” operations—highly organized syndicates that tunnel into financial institutions—which have recently targeted banks in neighboring provinces across Western Visayas.
Conceptualized by the City Intelligence Unit (CIU) under the leadership of ICPO director Police Colonel Wilbert B. Parilla, the project recognizes private security guards as the first line of defense.
Because guards are stationed at critical locations like financial institutions, schools, business centers, and malls, the ICPO views them as invaluable eyes and ears on the ground.
“Crime prevention is a shared responsibility. Through ‘IHUTIK KAY TSIP,’ we encourage everyone to become vigilant and proactive partners of the police,” said Padilla.
“Our security guards and security officers serve as force multipliers in safeguarding establishments and communities. A simple piece of information can go a long way in preventing crimes and protecting lives,” he continued.
The project’s design was formulated by CIU Officer-in-Charge Police Lieutenant Colonel Randy T. Caballes and Deputy Chief Police Captain Val A. Cambel.
To facilitate the flow of information, the ICPO will distribute stickers and calling cards featuring the new hotline to security guards and local establishments citywide.
The ICPO has designated the mobile number 0963-058-1571 as the official platform for the public to send tips.
Police officials clarified that the hotline is strictly for intelligence-gathering and information sharing, not for active emergency responses.
To ensure the integrity of the program, all received tips will undergo rigorous intelligence processing, validation, and deliberation by authorized CIU personnel before being used to launch police operations.
Addressing potential safety concerns for tipsters, the ICPO emphasized that all received reports and the identities of informants will be treated with the utmost confidentiality under strict security protocols.
The ICPO urges the public to use the hotline to report illegal activities, including drug trafficking and distribution, locations of wanted persons and robbery suspects, possession of loose or unregistered firearms, and Illegal gambling operations.
By bridge-building between the police, private security sectors, and the general public, the ICPO hopes IHUTIK KAY TSIP will foster a safer, more resilient environment across the city.IMT
