Brigadier General Jean S. Fajardo, director of the Police Regional Office 3, has called on local government executives to help in the fight against illegal drugs and rape cases.
The PRO-3 head issued the statement during the Pampanga Press Club’s News@Hues at the Park Inn By Radisson Clark last week.
Fajardo expressed concern on the high number of index crimes in the region, particularly on rape cases in Pampanga.
Aside from the rape cases, the police official also recorded high number of theft and robbery cases in 2024.
Index crimes include murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, theft, robbery, and carnapping.
“Kailangan po talagang mapababa ang krimen sa Central Luzon at ma-ensure ang public safety. Medyo mataas po ang insidente ng rape, even sa national. Pero napansin ko na mataas ang rape cases sa Pampanga. Yun po ang isa sa mga tututukan natin,” Fajardo said.
She added the regional police directorate will come up with better strategy and intervention in partnership with the local government units.
“Papatutukan ko ito sa Pampanga Police Office. Sa national level, maraming cases ng incest rape. This will be one of the talking points na ididiscuss ko sa mga local officials natin," Fajardo said.
“We really need the intervention of the local officials dahil maraming cases na ang perpetrators mismo ay mga kasama sa bahay, magulang o kinakasama ng magulang. Kaya madalas di nasasampa ang kaso,” she added.
Information released by the Pampanga provincial police last year showed a total of 473 cases in 2023.
Out of the 473 cases, 10 are statutory rape (minors), 113 rape, six attempted rape, 82 acts of lasciviousness, seven anti-photo and video voyeurism, 10 anti-trafficking in persons (ATIP), one attempted ATIP, 79 anti-violence against women and children, three concubinage, two grave threats, five physical injuries, 14 Safe Spaces Act, four sexual harassment, 122 anti-child abuse and 15 unjust vexation.
On the issue of illegal drugs, the police regional director called on all local officials to activate and strengthen their Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADAC).
“While the police is there for the supply and demand reduction program, the anti-drug abuse councils are the front liners. Sila ang mas nakakalam sino ang mga users kaya mas madali ang pagsugpo at paglilinis sa mga barangay,” Fajardo said.
The BADAC is composed of Barangay Chairman as the chairperson and Sangguniang Barangay Member Committee Chair on Peace and Order as the co-chairperson.
The council members include SB Member/Kagawad (Committee Chair on Women and Family), SK Chairperson, Public School principal or representative.
Executive Officer/Chief Tanod, at least two representatives of NGOs/Civil Society, representative of Faith-Based Organization, and the City/Municipal Chief of Police or representative as the Adviser.