CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- There has been a considerable decline in the number of crimes in Pampanga, according to data from the Pampanga Provincial Police Office (PPO).
In a media statement from the Pampanga Information Office (PIO), reports showed a massive drop on recorded index crimes from the period January to June 2019.
PPPO Provincial Director Police Coronel Jean Fajardo said that in 2018, a total of 674 index crimes were recorded compared to this year's 438. This is a 35 percent drop or 236 lower compared to last year of the same period.
"The decreasing trend of crime incident in the first half of the year is attributed to Pampanga PPO's revitalized campaign against criminality," Fajardo said.
She also revealed that most of the recorded index crimes took place in the city and municipalities of San Fernando, Mabalacat, Lubao, Magalang, and Mexico.
Most of the committed crimes are related to theft (134 cases), robbery (88) and physical injury (88).
From January to July 2019, the PPPO was able to conduct 1,564 operations which led to the arrest of 1,799 drug personalities, confiscation of large quantities of illegal drugs and loose firearms.
Fajardo added they will remain steadfast to their commitment in making Pampanga "a drug-free and progressive province through the active support of the provincial and local government units and active participation of the citizenry."
Meanwhile, Governor Dennis Pineda recognized the performance of the city and municipal police stations of San Fernando, Mabalacat, and Bacolor for garnering the highest accomplishments in the anti-illegal drugs operations.
"I congratulate the topnotchers and I thank all police stations in the province. Rest assured that I will continue to support the police personnel who take the initiative and efforts in conducting police operations against all forms of criminality especially on Illegal drugs," the governor said during the joint Provincial Peace and Order Council and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PPOC-PDAC) meeting held over the weekend.
Pineda also commended the success of the joint campaign made by the Provincial Government and PPPO against illegal drugs.