Iloilo city: The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) is set to enhance its efforts in maintaining peace and order through the initiation of Project TANOD LEAD, which aims to intensify police visibility, strengthen police-community partnerships, and bolster anti-criminality efforts via coordinated night patrol operations.

According to Philippines News Agency, ICPO Director Col. Wilbert Parilla explained that TANOD LEAD stands for Tanod (village watchmen) and Police Nightly Operations for Discipline and Law Enforcement Against Disorder. This initiative is part of the ICPO's sustained anti-criminality prevention and safety strategies, emphasizing the crucial role of barangay (village) officials and tanod in upholding peace and order. It was developed to support the Department of the Interior and Local Government's (DILG) Safer Cities Initiative and the Philippine National Police's (PNP) Focus Agenda on fostering active community support.

Parilla detailed that the initiative will focus on deployments during weekend nights-from Friday to Sunday-when crime rates are typically higher. ICPO personnel will team up with barangay tanod to conduct roving operations in selected high-crime barangays from 8 p.m. to 12 midnight. The project was launched with the presence of district presidents from the Association of Barangay Captains in Iloilo City, along with barangay officials and tanod.

In addition to Project TANOD LEAD, the ICPO is also concentrating on ensuring security during the school opening season. Personnel have been deployed to schools, major thoroughfares, transport terminals, and other busy areas to implement intensified security and public safety measures. The ICPO is actively monitoring for theft, bullying, illegal drug activities, and other crimes that could impact students and the public.

Col. Parilla reiterated the ICPO's commitment to providing a safe learning environment. "We are mission-ready to ensure that our students can return to school safely and peacefully. Through heightened police presence and strong collaboration with our stakeholders, we aim to make the opening of classes secure, orderly, and conducive to learning," he stated.

The public is encouraged to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious individuals or activities to the nearest police station by dialing 911 or through the ICPO hotlines: 0908-377-0194 or 335-0299.