By: Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – Cases of eight focus crimes in Negros Occidental decreased by 22.35 percent from January to December 2019.
Based on the records of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), murder topped the list with 200 cases, an increase of five incidents compared to 195 in 2018.
Physical injuries cases numbered 152; theft, 149; rape, 138; robbery, 96; homicide, 59; motornapping, 24; and carnapping, 2.
For non-index crimes (violations of special laws), traffic accidents increased by 42.96 percent, from 419 incidents in 2018 to 599 in 2019.
Nocppo records showed that accidents resulting in physical injuries increased by 38.96 percent or 90 cases from 231 cases in 2018 to 321 in 2019.
Nocppo also noted 100 percent increase on damage to properties last year from 19 cases in 2018 to 111 incidents in 2019.
Police Colonel Romeo Baleros, Nocppo director, said the increase on the accidents was due to motorists under the influence of liquor.
However, homicide cases dropped by 12.43 percent, or 21 cases from 169 incidents in 2018 to 148 last year.
Baleros reminded motorists to never drink and drive to prevent untoward incidents.
