The Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO-6) arrested 197 people and seized or recovered more than P11.85 million worth of fish, fishing equipment, motorboats, lumber and charcoal during operations against illegal fishing and logging.
The operations were conducted from September 1 to 15, 2026, as part of the PRO-6 Bantay Kalikasan campaign, which focuses on enforcing environmental laws and protecting natural resources across the region.
Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño, PRO-6 regional director, said the campaign aims to protect both the environment and the livelihoods of communities that depend on natural resources.
Of the 304 operations carried out during the 15-day period, 80 targeted illegal fishing. These operations resulted in 118 arrests and the confiscation of fish, fishing equipment and motorboats valued at P11.35 million.
The Antique Police Provincial Office recorded 42 anti-illegal fishing operations and 42 arrests. The Iloilo Police Provincial Office conducted 26 operations and made 50 arrests, the highest number among the provincial police offices.
The Guimaras Police Provincial Office conducted five operations that resulted in nine arrests, while the Aklan Police Provincial Office carried out four operations and arrested five people. The Capiz Police Provincial Office recorded three operations and 12 arrests.
Iloilo also recorded the highest value of confiscated fish, fishing equipment and motorboats at P7.35 million. Antique followed with P1.77 million, while Capiz recorded P1.62 million. Guimaras and Aklan accounted for P439,080 and P173,500, respectively.
PRO-6 also conducted 224 operations against illegal logging during the same period. The campaign resulted in 79 arrests and the confiscation or recovery of lumber worth P364,770.71 and charcoal valued at P139,190.
The combined value of the seized and recovered forest products was P503,960.71.
Aklan recorded the largest number of anti-illegal logging operations with 69, followed by Antique with 68. Capiz conducted 52 operations, while Iloilo and Guimaras recorded 26 and nine, respectively.
Antique recorded the highest number of arrests in the illegal logging operations with 54, followed by Aklan with 24.
PRO-6 said it would continue coordinating with government agencies, local governments and communities to strengthen enforcement against illegal fishing, illegal logging and other activities that threaten Western Visayas’ natural resources.
Police also encouraged residents to report suspected environmental violations to the nearest police station or through Unified 911.
