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Thursday, August 07, 2003
Crimes in Baguio City up 330% in July
By Harley Palangchao
BAGUIO -- Crime volume in the city rose to its highest at 330 percent in July, raising concerns about the capability of the Baguio City Police Office to continuously ensure the safety and protection of residents and tourists.
Records at the police office showed that index crimes increased over 300 percent from 17 reported cases in June to 53 in July.
Index crimes include murder, homicide, robbery, rape, theft and physical injuries.
Despite the huge increase in the crime volume in July, police improved their crime solution efficiency rate from 94.7 percent in June to 96.4 in July.
Robbery incidents in July leapt to 14 from four cases in June, and theft cases to 14 from only five in June.
No less than the children of Chief Supt. Victor Luga and City Prosecutor Benny Carantes became victims of thieves in Baguio.
Physical injuries also rose to almost 350 percent last month.
On other hand, non-index crimes or least frequently committed crimes rose to over 380 percent from eight cases in June to 31 in July.
Police records also showed that most index and non-index crimes were committed within the city's central business district.
The discovery prompted city police chief Supt. Francisco Manalo Jr., during a command conference in Camp Bado Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet on Monday, to divert police resources and anti-crime efforts to the central business district.
The reported increase in crime incidents in July continues to hound city police operatives, who at present are still baffled over the mysterious deaths of three females, including two visitors, last week.
About three months ago, a ranking police officer later identified as Supt. Arturo Solis of Bacolod City, was killed in Baguio. Police still do not have any leads on the reason for his murder or the identity of his assailants.
The BCPO was adjudged the Best City Police Office in the country in 2001. Sun.Star Baguio
(August 7, 2003 issue)
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