BANGUED, Abra (PIA) — Police tightens security measures in the province of Abra as crime incidents increased by 32.7 percent from January 12 to March 12, 2025.
Abra Police Provincial Office (PPO) Director Police Colonel Gilbert Fati-ig shared that police units were directed to focus on the high-risk periods and critical areas in the province to improve crime prevention.
Fati-ig reported during an emergency Peace and Order Council (PPO) meeting on March 17, that crime incidents increased by 17 with a total of 69 crimes reported from January 12- March 12, 2025, as compared to 52 incidents recorded in the same period last year.
Fati-ig added that the capital town of Bangued recorded the most number of crime incidents with 28, followed by Bucay with nine, and Pilar with seven incidents.
He also explained that peak crime hours are at 10:00 PM to 12:00 AM and 3:00 AM to 5:00 AM. Crimes like murder, and rape are more frequent during the said hours while daytime crimes are scattered but noticeable around 4:00 PM-6:00 PM.
The PPOC members also discussed implementation of enhanced check points, installation of CCTV systems in key areas, and the anti-insurgency efforts in the province, among others.
The PPOC emergency meeting held at the Provincial Capitol was presided over by Acting Governor Russell Bragas. Police Regional Office-Cordillera Director PBGen. David Peredo, 501st Infantry Brigade Commander BGen. Dean Mark Mamaril, 24th Infantry Battalion Commander LtCol. Jose Wilfredo Panes, DILG-Abra Director Kristoffer Dave Alvarez, League of Municipalities of the Philippines national president, La Paz Mayor JB Bernos with the local chief executives of the different towns, heads and representatives of national line agencies, and civil society organizations also participated in the council meeting. (JJMT, PIA-CAR, Abra)
