The Police Regional Office (PRO-6) reported a 7.20 percent decrease in crimes in Western Visayas in the first five months of 2024.
From January to May this year, PRO-6 recorded 4,820 crime incidents, lower compared to 5,194 crimes logged in the same period last year.
Of the latest figure, 963 were index crimes or crimes against persons and property and 3,857 were non-index crimes or illegal acts that violate special laws or local ordinances.
Index crimes decreased by 19.33 percent from 1,202 in the same period last year while non-index crimes dropped by 3.38 percent from 3,992.
Cases of eight focus crimes (murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, motorcycle theft, and car theft) also went down by 19.97 percent from 1,197 to 958.
Brigadier General Jack L. Wanky, PRO-6 director, credited the decrease to the diligent efforts of unit commanders in the region and their strategic deployment of personnel.
“This is the product of maximizing your personnel on the streets and deploying them in strategic areas. Know fully your area of jurisdiction and adjust your deployment accordingly,” he said.
Wanky also acknowledged “the strong and continued support of the local government units, force multipliers, advocacy support groups and other stakeholders in our peace and order endeavors”
“Without you, we have not reached this far. Despite this feat, rest assured that your Police will continuously exert effort to make Western Visayas a safer place to live, invest and do business for everyone” he said.IMT
REPORTING by Eugine Soqueña, West Visayas State University College of Communication intern; EDITING by Reymar Latoza
