ILOILO CITY – The Internal Affairs Service (IAS) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) here has a new office.

POLICE Lt. Col. Joemarie Occeño of the PNP-Regional IAS (seated right) and Barangay Captain James Conlu ink an agreement for the PNP-IAS office at the Barangay Hall of Barrio Obrero in Iloilo City. Witnesses to the MOA are Iloilo City police chief Police Col. Kim Legada and retired Lt. Col. Dande Deocampo. (Tara Yap)
It transferred its office within the barangay hall of Barrio Obrero in Lapuz District on Thursday, Feb. 20.
Police Lt. Col. Joemarie Occeño of the PNP-Regional IAS and Barangay Captain James Conlu inked a Memorandum of Agreement for the transfer.
Occeño thanked Barrio Obrero officials for offering space for the PNP-IAS.
He said that they were temporarily housed in Camp Sumagaysay, the headquarters of the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) in Santa Barbara town.
Occeño said that the old location in Santa Barbara discourages people who want to complain to the PNP-IAS that investigates police misconduct.
For city residents, it is inconvenient to travel all the way to Santa Barbara to file a complaint.
Occeño added complaints feel safer if the PNP-IAS is located in the city and they do not have to travel out of town.
Conlu said housing PNP-IAS is a continuation of Barangay Barrio Obrero’s partnership with the PNP.
He also offered the space of the old barangay hall for the Police Station 8 of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO).
Last July 24, the ICPO-Police Station 8 occupied the old barangay hall of Barrio Obrero. This police station serves 30,300 residents of 12 barangays in Lapuz District.
Police are also vital in Lapuz District as it is where the Iloilo International Port, the ferry terminals, and the power barge are located.
Also present during the MOA signing and blessing of the PNP-IAS office are ICPO Director Police Col. Kim Legada, retired Police Lt. Col. Dande Deocampo, and key ICPO officers.