By Jennifer P. Rendon
The number of crimes against persons and properties in Western Visayas decreased in the first quarter of 2022.
The Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 on Tuesday reported that 623 cases lumped under the eight focus crimes were recorded from January to March 2022.
The number is 12.74 percent lower compared to the 714 incidents for the same period in 2021.
The eight focus crimes are murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, carnapping of vehicles, and carnapping of motorcycles.
Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Solis, PRO-6 spokesperson, said that all provinces and cities in Western Visayas posted lower number of eight focus crimes except for Capiz province and Bacolod City which registered minimal spikes.
Capiz with 70 cases in 2021 reported 84 in 2022 while Bacolod City’s 70 cases jumped by one case so far this year.
Meanwhile, the region’s total crime volume also decreased by 1.43 percent. From 5,226 cases last year, it went up 5,151 cases in 2022.
Brigadier General Flynn Dongbo, Western Visayas police chief, has cited the cooperation of stakeholders and PNP unit commanders and their personnel for working together to reduce crimes, despite that the region is almost back to normal
“We made it possible 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,” Dongbo said.
