Crime volume in Central Visayas up by 6%

CEBU, Philippines - The Police Regional Office-7 has reported a six percent increase in the crime volume in Central Visayas from January to August this year compared to the same period last year.

Senior Superintendent Rey Lyndon Lawas, chief of the Directorial Staff of PRO-7, reported, during the Regional Peace and Order Council meeting yesterday, a total of 42,812 crime incidents this year, higher than last year’s 40,193 or an increase of 2,619 cases.

Cebu province recorded 12,826 incidents. Cebu’s figures excluded that of the cities of Mandaue with 5,810 incidents, Lapu-Lapu (3,292), and Cebu City (7,848).

Lawas attributed the increase in crime volume to the surge of non-index crimes at 27,735 this year from 23,572 last year. Index crimes, on the other hand, have dropped from 16,621 last year to 15,077 this year.   Lawas said the decrease was a result of the authorities’ intensified crime prevention campaign involving patrols and security operations.

Index crimes involve offenses against persons, such as murder and physical injury, and properties, like theft and robbery, while non-index crimes are violations of special laws, such as those against illegal drugs and local legislations.

This year’s crime clearance efficiency and crime solution efficiency also improved by 11.16 percent and 12 percent, respectively, from last year covering the same period.

The crime is considered “cleared” when the suspect was identified and charged of the crime but still at-large, while solved crime are those that the suspect was taken into custody and charged.

Lawas believes that the conduct of trainings for PNP personnel improved the capability and competency in the conduct of investigation. With these accomplishments, he said the maintenance of peace and order is not only the responsibility of the police but also of the ordinary citizens.

Drug situation

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7 director Jeffrey Bangsa said the region is very much vulnerable to drug smuggling due to the presence of entry and exit points such as seaports, airports, and coastlines.  He recommended strengthening the security in the entry and exit points to catch drug smugglers.

Bangsa said smugglers usually conceal drugs in milk boxes, tea bags, shampoo bottles, sandals, cellphone chargers, and luggage secret compartments.

From April to September, PDEA-7 has seized a total of 2.7 kilograms of shabu. As of August this year, the agency also conducted 58 anti-drug operations that led to the arrest of 58 persons.— (FREEMAN)