TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA) – Total crimes in Bohol from April to June 30 increased by 7.6 percent, despite the noted decrease in crimes affecting the local and internal peace and order situation.
During the recent joint meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) and the Provincial Anti Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) held at the Capitol Ceremonial Hall and presided by PPOC chairperson, Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado, Camp Dagohoy crime statisticians presented the comparative total crime incidents in Bohol from April to June 2023 and of the same period this year.
Camp Dagohoy chief and Bohol Police provincial director, Police Sr. Supt. Lorenzo A. Batuan, in his presentation, bared that of the peace and order indicators tracked by the police crime statisticians, total crimes of the period in 2023 reached 797, which decreased to 711 in 2024 for a 10.79 percent decrease.
However, for crimes involving public safety, of the 808 cases recorded between April to June in 2023, the figure surged 25.74 percent or 208 more cases this year.
“From 808 cases in 2023, crimes affecting public safety increased to 1,016, some 208 more cases noted this year as against last year,” Batuan said.
In total, crimes involving peace and order and crimes affecting public safety in 2023 reached a count of 1,605.
Of the total, 122 new crimes were listed in 2024, which resulted in an average total crime increase of 7.60 percent.
Batuan said this is not much of a concern to the image of Bohol as a prime investment and tourism destination.
The increase, which is influenced generally by the surge in crimes involving public safety, is something that is way beyond the control of the police.
“We keep reminding motorists to drive cautiously to avoid incidents,” Batuan said.
He added that fiesta celebrations are not helping, and putting aggressive law enforcement operations in setting up police checkpoints are clogging traffic, as unauthorized drivers would rather wait until the checkpoint disbands and they can pass through.
This issue has since spawned problems in traffic incidents, and has fueled the increase in crimes in Bohol.
According to Camp Dagohoy, damage to property caused by traffic-related incidents in Bohol from April to June 2023 showed 363 incidents.
In the same period this year, incidents rose to 544.
Similarly, physical injuries caused by traffic-related incidents, also crept up to 453 from 430 in the same period last year.
As to homicide caused by traffic-related incidents, the 15 cases last year is now 19 incidents or a 26.67 percent increase.
Overall, of the 1,727 public safety crimes logged in police blotters in the last four months after April 2024, there were only 1,605 incidents involving peace and order.
Batuan said the Bohol Provincial Police Office will continue to exert efforts in the implementation of sustained police presence and increase police operations, especially on Philippine National Police flagship programs.
He added that they will also continue their police operations against drug personalities, intensify operations against loose firearms, and sustain the coordination and collaboration with other agencies for the success of Barangay Drug Clearing Program and crime prevention, as well as strengthen the intelligence community. (RAHC/PIA Bohol)
