The Western Visayas regional police have recorded a 12.74 percent decrease in crime volume in the first quarter of 2022, attributing it to strategic deployment and preemptive anti-criminality operations.
Police Brig. Gen. Flynn Dongbo, director of the Police Regional Office 6, said the crime volume reduction is on what the Philippine National Police (PNP) described as Eight Focus Crimes composed of murder, homicide, rape, physical injury, robbery, theft and carnapping of motorcycles and motor vehicles.
From 714 cases from January to March last year, the number was reduced to 623 for the same period this year.
Dongbo said all provinces and cities’ 8 focus crimes decreased except for Capiz and Bacolod City with a minimal increase-- from 70 to 84 in Capiz and from 70 to 71 in Bacolod City.
In Aklan, a total of 47 incidents were recorded in the first quarter of 2022 compared to 60 last year; from 48 to 41 incidents in Antique; from 23 to 20 in Guimaras; from 152 to 134 in Iloilo; from 161 to 145 in Negros Occidental; and from 130 to 81 in Iloilo City.
Dongbo lauded his men and other stakeholders for what he described as a collective effort in ensuring the region peaceful and orderly.
“These gains were achieved because of your cooperation and effort in implementing the peace and order programs of the PNP in collaboration and coordination with the supportive community, local government units and other government agencies," said Dongbo.