THE Iloilo City Police Office (Icpo) Director Henry Biñas assured the public that the metropolis is "very peaceful and safe."
Biñas's statement came amid the series of shooting incidents in the city, which he said are "isolated cases."
“For several months, we know that Iloilo City is very peaceful but it is unfortunate that these happened. Rest assured that the city police is doing steps to solve the problem,” he said.
Mayor Jose Espinosa III called for a closed-door meeting with Biñas along with members of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine Coast Guard, and other members of Iloilo City Peace and Order Council last July 16.
Espinosa ordered Icpo to resolve the incidents, adding that the City Government will soon provide 15 patrol cars to the city police, PDEA, and DILG for intensified peace and order measures.
Biñas noted that out of five incidents, two were because of personal grudges and three were due to illegal drugs.
Biñas dismissed speculations that there are organized crime groups in the city.
He assured that the city police are addressing the problems, stressing they are gathering evidences to identify the persons involved in drug-related incidents.
Icpo recorded a significant drop of 66.27 percent in crime volume or only 29 incidents from July 6 to 12 compared to 86 incidents during same period of last year.
“One of the reasons why there was a drop of crime volume was because of the 500 personnel augmentation which has strengthened police visibility. This helps us prevent street crimes,” Icpo Operations Chief Superintendent Jowel Saliba said. (PR/With Carolyn Jane Abello)