• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
The Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office (NOcPPO) reported significant strides in their law enforcement efforts in 2025, seizing over P30 million worth of illegal fishing paraphernalia and smuggled items.
According to the NOcPPO accomplishments report, the province conducted 207 anti-illegal fishing operations throughout the year. The efforts resulted in the confiscation of P262,805 worth of illegally caught fish and P13,787,390 worth of fishing paraphernalia.
A total of 500 suspects involved in illegal fishing activities were apprehended across Negros Occidental in 2025.
In its campaign against smuggling, police confiscated P17,343,200 worth of assorted smuggled goods, leading to the arrest of 11 suspects.
The provincial police also intensified its anti-illegal logging efforts, recovering approximately 4,292 board feet of lumber and confiscating items valued at P163,000. Nine individuals involved in illegal logging were arrested.
Earlier reports indicated that, from a total of 1,151 anti-illegal drug operations, law enforcement agencies seized 6.6 kilograms of suspected shabu valued at P45,047,496.
NOcPPO Director PCol. Dennis Wenceslao stated in an interview that law enforcers in the province remain committed to ensuring a safe and healthy community for all residents.*
