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Sunday, August 13, 2006
C. Visayas crime figures highest in country
By Mia E. Abellana and Jovy S. Taghoy
CEBU CITY -- Central Visayas ranked first in crime statistics, but this does not mean that the region is the most dangerous place in the country, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Calderon said.
The fact that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit is being held in Cebu only goes to show that is one of the safest places, he added.
"Here, we have no killings of media personalities and very few political killings. I would rather get mugged than be killed. That is more dangerous," said Calderon, who talked with reporters in his first visit to Cebu Saturday as PNP chief.
He also said most incidents in the region's crime volume were petty crimes.
But he admitted that the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas ranked the highest in crime volume for this year's first quarter and scored lowest in crime solution efficiency.
He said, though, that the numbers changed as the third quarter approached.
Do better
While he commended the Police Regional Office for having no registered media killing since 2001 and for having the lowest number of militant killings in the country, he said this doesn't mean they can relax on the job.
"This is an opportunity for better performance," he said.
He said statistics are reminders for police commanders and their men to wake up and begin ways to address these crimes.
Fewer crimes were committed in Central Visayas for the first six months of this year compared with the same period in 2005, records show.
In the first six-month comparative report, Cebu City remained on top in index crimes-murder, homicide, physical injuries, rape, robbery and theft.
Total index crimes from January to June 2006 reached 4,331 cases, down by 481 in the same period last year, while non-index crimes posted 2,301 cases compared with 2,346 cases last year.
Of the 4,331 cases, 40 percent or 1,733 occurred in Cebu City. That figure is fewer by 375 from the 2,108 cases for the same period last year.
Murder too
Cebu Province followed in the 2006 crime statistics report, with 1,572 cases while Bohol Province landed third, with only 432 cases.
Like in 2005, theft with 1,605 cases and physical injuries with 1,503 cases remained the most common crimes committed in the first six months this year, while murder cases placed third with 299.
The murder cases covering the two quarters in 2006, however, are fewer compared with those in 2005, which recorded 321.
The data, however, did not specify how many of these murder cases occurred in Cebu City this year.
The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), in its crime statistics report for 2005, revealed that murder cases in the city almost doubled compared with those recorded in 2004.
Unsolved vigilante-style killings made up most of the 171 murders recorded in the city last year-up by 81 cases from the 2004 figure.
Complaints
At least 108 such cases, or 63 percent of the 171 murders, were recorded from Dec. 22, 2004 until the end of 2005.
The fight against all forms of crimes is one of Calderon's main concerns for his term.
He said petty crimes, organized crimes, illegal gambling and those committed by police personnel should stop.
Aside from the task forces and divisions, Calderon has set up a complaint desk under his office to act on all concerns.
He said abusive acts of PNP personnel may also be sent there.
Calderon also wants to strengthen the Internal Affairs Service, the section that handles complaints against erring policemen.
As for the Asean summit in December, Calderon said he took a tour with the Police Center for Aviation Security (PCAS) throughout the domestic and international airport in Manila and was satisfied with the security operations there.
He said the foiled plot to bomb commercial planes in the air that was recently discovered in the United Kingdom is bound to affect the Philippines and the rest of the Southeast Asian region.
As the Philippines is no stranger to hijacking and bombing attempts, the country will soon adopt the practices of banning liquids in carry-on luggage, he added. (Sun.Star Cebu)
(August 13, 2006 issue)
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