CEBU CITY, CEBU (PIA) — The Police Regional Office (PRO) in Central Visayas has recorded a 12.3 percent decrease in crimes in Central Visayas from January to May this year compared to the same period in 2023.
This was reported by PRO-7 Regional Investigation and Detective Management (RIDMD) chief, Col. Antonietto Y. Cañete, during the 2nd quarter meeting of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) in Region 7.
In his report, Cañete said the region logged the crime drop in what they call the 8-Focus Crimes, which include theft, physical injury, rape, robbery, murder, homicide, car theft, and motorcycle theft.
Cañete said the decrease is a result of the intensified conduct of police operations.
“This represents a 206 or 12.3 percent reduction in all 8-Focus Crimes incidents, which is the result of our intensified law enforcement and public safety operations and the contribution of our program and best practices,” he said.
The report specifically shows a dip in the same cases in the tri-cities: Cebu City gets (6.1 percent), Mandaue City (8.5 percent), and Lapu-lapu City (30 percent).
Cebu province also logged a 17.8 percent decrease while Bohol registered a 17.3 percent drop in the same crimes.
However, the provinces of Siquijor and Negros Oriental showed an uptick in the same period, from 4 incidents in 2023 in Siquijor, it increased to 6 this year or a 50 percent increase.
Negros Oriental showed a 5.5 percent increase or from 216 to 228 cases.
Anti-illegal drugs campaign
Central Visayas recorded 3,377 apprehensions in cases involving illegal drugs, resulting from 2,844 total operations conducted from January to May 2024.
This is 12 percent higher compared to the same period in 2023.
Police has confiscated illegal drugs valued at P661million, which is 53 percent higher compared to the same period last year.
Arrests of most wanted persons
PRO-7 have conducted a total of 2,709 operations in its campaign against most wanted persons, which led to 2,702 arrests.
This is a 35 percent decrease compared to the 4,148 arrests done in the same period last year.
Illegal gambling
A total of P531,803 worth of gambling money have been confiscated, which is 44.5 percent lower than the same period last year.
However, there is an increase of 13.2 percent of anti-gambling operations.
Loose firearms
Records show a total of 2,085 surrendered or recovered firearms, which is a 19.8 percent decrease compared to the first five months of last year.
Under this campaign, police has arrested a total of 397 personalities.
Internal Security Operations
PRO-7 logged an 80 percent increase of arrested personalities involved in communist-terrorist groups (CTGs) in the same period this year compared to last year.
From 20 recovered firearms last year, there are already 45 recoded in May 2024, which is 125 percent higher. (JJT/PIA7)
