Heads will roll at Janiuay municipal police station—IPPO chief
Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) Director Senior Superintendent Ricardo de la Paz assured that heads will roll at the Janiuay municipal police station following the looting that happened at the municipal hall and a nearby school last week.
De la Paz said they have put under investigation the members of the Janiuay police station specifically its chief Senior Inspector Alex Velez. He said he is very disappointed with what happened to the municipal police station.
The unidentified robbers took away the laptop computer of the municipal treasurer's office and P155 from the office of the social welfare and development office. Probers theorized the robbery occurred between 1 a.m. to 4 a.m. Friday.
The provincial director said it is not only Mayor Ben Margarico who is very disappointed with the policemen but also himself.
The police station is only a stone's throw away from the municipal police station. Police has yet to release vital information on the identities of the suspects as of this writing.
Meanwhile, De la Paz said the IPPO has renewed their campaign against the proliferation of loose firearms and anti-hold up operations by conducting checkpoints. The checkpoints already led to the arrest of nine persons carrying unlicensed firearms.
The recent confiscation was made last Saturday. The 607th Provincial Mobile Group (PMG) arrested Eduardo Barato. He was allegedly carrying an unlicensed caliber .45 pistol when arrested in a police checkpoint in Janiuay.
The checkpoints could help in preventing the occurrence of robbery hold-ups in the province of Iloilo. The robber's target include businessmen and lending institutions which are carrying sums of money when they traveled in the different towns, he said.
However, De la Paz reminded the travelers that police checkpoints are set-up in lighted areas with corresponding signage and marked police vehicles for easy identification. The police assigned in the checkpoints are also wearing complete police uniforms. The commuters should be vigilant while on the highway. They are advised to immediately speed their vehicles in case, they see suspicious looking persons manning the checkpoints.