CEBU CITY – Police recorded fewer crimes in Central Visayas during the 459th Fiesta Señor celebration from January 11 to 21 compared to last year.
Only 571 crime incidents were recorded in the entire Region 7 during the 11-day period, down 20.91 percent compared to 2023.
THE Walk with Mary procession was part of this year's Fiesta Señor celebration. (Juan Carlo de Vela)
Police Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of Police Regional Office-Central Visayas (PRO-7) chief Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin, said 722 crime incidents were recorded in the region during the Fiesta Señor last year from January 5 to 15.
The decrease in crime incidents in this year’s Fiesta Señor is an indication of the effective security measures that were enforced during various religious activities.
“Our PRO-7 regional director who sat as Task Force Commander was very proud of the accomplishment or the performance of our security sector. This is one of the most secure, one of the most solemn celebrations of the Sinulog,” Pelare said.
Pelare said that during the period, index crimes dropped to 32.18 percent while non-index crimes fell to 18.35 percent.
During the Sinulog Festival, there were only 29 crime incidents compared to 39 last year.
“The PRO-7 is thankful to all our security forces and to the community for their cooperation that made the Fiesta Señor and Sinulog Festival a successful and peaceful celebration,” Pelare said.