14/06/2026
Western Visayas police rank among nationโs best in anti-drug, environmental campaigns
By Mia Magdalena Fokno
June 14, 2026
Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6) posted strong gains across anti-drug, environmental protection, and economic security campaigns during the first half of June, placing the region among the countryโs top-performing police commands while maintaining one of the lowest crime incidences nationwide.
Based on the Philippine National Policeโs operational performance evaluation covering June 1 to 13, PRO6 emerged as the top-performing unit in the campaign against illegal logging, conducting 77 operations that resulted in the arrest of 33 individuals.
The region also ranked first nationwide in shabu seizures, reflecting intensified anti-drug operations across Western Visayas.
Beyond traditional anti-crime efforts, PRO6 recorded strong results in campaigns aimed at protecting natural resources and curbing economic offenses.
The regional police office placed second nationwide in anti-smuggling operations after conducting 268 operations during the evaluation period. It also ranked second in the campaign against illegal fishing in terms of arrests, with 122 violators apprehended.
Authorities said the region recorded the highest value of confiscated illegal fishing-related items in the country, estimated at โฑ6.38 million.
PRO6 likewise continued its campaign against wanted persons, accounting for 105 fugitives through manhunt operations conducted across Western Visayas.
While the accomplishments reflect active law enforcement operations, police officials pointed to another indicator they consider equally important: crime incidence.
PRO6 reported 20 incidents under the Philippine National Policeโs eight focus crimes, a figure the regional office said placed Western Visayas among the countryโs five police regional offices with the lowest crime incidence during the period.
The eight focus crimes include murder, homicide, physical injury, r**e, robbery, theft, carnapping of motor vehicles, and carnapping of motorcycles.
PBGen. Randulf T. Tuaรฑo, acting regional director of PRO6, attributed the accomplishments to the dedication of police personnel and the support of local government units, partner agencies, and communities.
โThese accomplishments demonstrate the dedication and professionalism of our personnel in carrying out their mandate to protect the people and uphold the law. We will continue to strengthen our operational capabilities, foster stronger partnerships with stakeholders, and sustain our efforts against all forms of criminality,โ Tuaรฑo said.
The results come as PRO6 continues to pursue a broader policing strategy that combines law enforcement operations with community partnerships, environmental protection initiatives, anti-cybercrime efforts, and public engagement programs.
The accomplishments also highlight how policing is increasingly measured across a wider set of responsibilities than crime prevention alone. Alongside traditional anti-crime operations, police units are being called upon to protect natural resources, secure economic activity, pursue fugitives, and address emerging threats in both physical and digital spaces.
For Western Visayas, the latest rankings suggest that efforts across those fronts are beginning to yield measurable results.
Photos by ORD-PRO6
