EASTERN Visayas posted a “substantial decrease” in crime volume for the first nine months in 2018, said the Police Regional Office (PRO).
Based on the comparative report of the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division (RIDMD), a total of 7,325 incidents were recorded from January to September this year compared to 8,338 cases recorded in the same period of last year.
Eastern Visayas Police Director Dionardo Carlos attributed this to PRO's intensified and continued campaign against criminality and illegal drugs.
“The notable decrease in crimes is attributed to the combined efforts of PNP (Philippine National Police) PRO-8, other law enforcement agencies, local government units, and the community,” Carlos said in a statement.
The index crime showed a reduction of 440 incidents or an index crime rate of 10 incidents per 100,000 population, with 2,113 incidents recorded for the same period in 2018 as compared to last year's 2,553.
For the non-index crimes, there was a decline of 573 incidents or a non-index crime rate of 12 incidents per 100,000 population, with 5,212 incidents recorded in 2018 compared to last year's 5,785.
Crime volume constitutes index and non-index crimes, according to police.
Index crimes are offenses that are serious in nature, occurring with sufficient frequency and regularity, such as rape, murder, homicide, physical injury, robbery, theft, carnapping, and cattle rustling.
Non-index crimes are mostly violations of special laws like illegal fishing, logging, and gambling, among others.
Meanwhile, police officials in Eastern Visayas assured the public of a peaceful and orderly observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on November 1 and 2.
Police Superintendent Ma. Bella Rentuaya, PRO’s public information officer, said that 1,692 policemen and 2,418 force multipliers are set to be deployed to secure the region’s 278 cemeteries this year.
Checkpoints will also be in place to secure the transportation terminals, seaports, airports, point of destinations, areas of convergence, and highways around the region. (SunStar Philippines)