CAMP BGEN OSCAR M FLORENDO, La Union – With the decrease of various crimes committed and the presence of New People’s Army (NPA) rebels, the crime volumes in Ilocos region’s four provinces had dramatically decreased, making “Ilocandia” in the North more peaceful and orderly.

Captain Carol Baloco, public information officer, said the Police Regional Office (PRO) 1, under the leadership of Police Brigadier Gen. John C. Chua, on Tuesday announced that Ilocos Region continues to enjoy a “generally peaceful and orderly” situation as a result of the PRO 1’s intensified and coordinated crime prevention and law enforcement efforts throughout 2022.

Region 1 covers Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan.

“Through PRO 1’s intensified crime prevention efforts and increased police presence, Gen. Chua said PRO 1 has noted a remarkable decrease of 1,174 crime incidents or 12% from 9,521 in 2021 to 8,347 in 2022,” said Baloco.

On the campaign against “most wanted persons” (MWPs Chua reported that 798 persons were arrested out of 1,179 MWPs – reflecting a 68% performance evaluation,

About 3,770 other wanted suspects were arrested out of the 421, the monthly target from the total of 4,207, reflecting an 89% evaluation rating.

A total of 93 members of organized crime groups/criminal gangs (69 arrested and 24 surrendered) were also accounted for during 2022.

On the campaign against illegal drugs, Chua reported a total of 890 police operations were conducted, resulting in the arrest of 1,050 drug suspects.

Confiscated were 1,371.7469 grams of shabu; 9,296.6963 grams of marijuana; and four tablets of ecstasy, netting a total of P10,358,498.76 worth of illegal drugs.

Additionally, 258 drug personalities voluntarily surrendered through “Oplan Tokhang” and revitalized Philippine National Police’s (PNP) “Kasimbayanan.”

Kasimbayanan, which stands for “Kapulisan, Simbahan at Pamayanan,” bridges the PNP, the general public, faith-based organizations, and key stakeholders toward peaceful, safe, and protected communities.

Likewise, he said, a total of 15 marijuana eradications were conducted, resulting in the uprooting of 130,870 fully grown marijuana, 18,750 seedlings, and the destruction of 21,005 grams of dried stalks and 7,000 grams of leaves with an estimated standard drug price of P30,891,500.

In the campaign against carnapping, out of the 39 reported carnapped vehicles (seven motor vehicles and 32 motorcycles), 32 were recovered (five motor vehicles and 27 motorcycles). PRO 1 was able to arrest 17 suspects, and nine criminal cases were filed in court.

Anti-illegal gambling operations resulted in the arrest of 4,758 individuals, confiscation of P2,032,653.8 pieces of evidence, and the eventual filing of 1,339 criminal cases in court. Additionally, a total of 1,520 individuals were fined under municipal ordinances.

According to Chua, the relentless efforts to account for loose and illegal firearms resulted in the confiscation of 351 small arms and light weapons resulting from 368 operations conducted. “Oplan Katok” and “Kasimbayanan” efforts also resulted in the surrender of 978 small arms and the deposit of 1,724 small arms. A total of 354 cases were filed in court for violation of the Republic Act (RA) 10591.

Sustaining its gains as Region 1 is to be declared under the “State of Stable Internal Peace and Security,” PRO 1’s intensified Internal Security Operations (ISO) have accounted for a total of 665 members of threat groups with 33 CTG (communist terrorist group) personalities (26 surrendered and seven arrested); 556 CTG front organizations; 38 former rebels; and 38 NPAs in the barrio, all surrendered.

Meanwhile, Chua lauded the members of PRO 1 for their dedication to maintaining peace and order in the region. He acknowledged the valuable contributions of other law enforcement agencies and community partners in achieving these successes through the “whole-of-nation” approach.

“These accomplishments are the results of extensive coordination and partnership of PRO 1 with other government agencies with the cooperation and support of the entire community,” Chua said.

Chua eyes more extensive anti-criminality campaigns ahead of the year 2023 and invigorates stronger partnerships with the community with the PNP’s revitalized Kasimbayanan program.