Crimes in CV down 10%

CEBU, Philippines — Crime incidents in Central Visayas have decreased for January to August 2024 as compared to the same period last year.

This report was presented during the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) meeting last Thursday, presided by Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan, RPOC chairperson.

Key highlights tackled during the RPOC included the peace and order situation in the region and the illegal drug problem from January to August 31 this year.

The Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 reported a 10 percent decrease in crime incidents from January to August this year, compared to the same period last year.

The report showed that 2,635 crime incidents occurred from January to August 2023, which dropped to 2,368 incidents this year.

Col. Ireneo Dalogdog, head of the PRO-7 Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division (RIDMD), presented the data showing a decline in eight major crimes: murder, homicide, rape, robbery, theft, physical injury, motorcycle theft, and carnapping.

The report covered data from the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO), Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO), Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LLCPO), Siquijor Provincial Police Office (SPPO), Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO), and Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO).

Lapu-Lapu City, in particular, showed a 25 percent decrease in crime incidents, from 164 last year to 123 this year.

In a press statement by the Lapu-Lapu City Information Office, it said that the report also highlighted a "crime clock," showing the times when specific crimes typically occurred.

The report stated that most murder cases happened between 6 p.m. and 3 a.m.; homicide cases occurred between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m.; physical injuries were more common on weekends from 5 p.m. to

9 p.m.; and rape incidents usually took place in residential areas between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.

While robberies can happen at any time, most carnapping and motorcycle thefts occurred on weekends.

On the other hand, Negros Oriental was the only area that reported an increase in crime in the region, rising from 340 incidents last year to 358 this year.

In anti-drug operations, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Assistant Regional Director Atty. George Alcovindas reported that approximately one-third of the barangays in Central Visayas were affected by illegal drugs. Out of 3,003 barangays, 1,013, or 33.73 percent, were affected.

From January to August this year, PDEA conducted 3,901 anti-drug operations, leading to the arrest of 4,475 individuals, including 81 high-value targets and two foreign nationals. The agency also rescued 67 minors.

The operations resulted in the seizure of 156,241.78 grams of shabu, 17,351.72 grams of marijuana, and 205 ampoules of Nalbuphine.

The third-quarter RPOC meeting concluded with various government agencies reporting to Chan and other council members.

The next RPOC meeting is scheduled for December 12, 2024. (CEBU NEWS)