Barangay officials tapped in drive vs. cattle rustling

By Erly C. Garcia

With the fiesta season coming, Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO) director Senior Supt. Efren Quintos called on barangay officials of the province to closely monitor the slaughtering of cattle in the “ sitios ” and barangays .

The strategy is part of the actions taken by the IPPO in relation to the increasing cases of cattle rustling in the province.

Quintos said he had already organized one team in every Provincial Mobile Group of the PNP to focus their efforts in the campaign against cattle rustling.

He said proper coordination with barangay officials has been made for the reactivation of the barangay tanod to assist in the implementation of the “ ronda system”.

Data from the IPPO show that there was a surge in cattle rustling cases in the first district of Iloilo during the first two months of this year.

Miag-ao recorded 5 cases, Oton , 7 cases, San Joaquin , 1, Tigbauan , 1 and Guimbal , 1.

IPPO deputy director Supt. Cornelio Defensor said the increase in cattle rustling cases in the first district is quite alarming since the area did not register similar cases before.

He said cattle rustling cases previously was only prevalent in the third district.

As of February 5 a total of 24 cattle were reported stolen all over the province. The authorities successfully recovered ten of which but the suspects escaped.

Quintos said they have already identified some members of the cattle rustling group and they are on the process of intensifying their case build up against them.

The provincial director likewise called on cattle owners to do their share by instituting preventive measures.