Crime incidents during the observance of Holy Week or Semana Santa in Western Visayas this year went down, according to the Police Regional Office (PRO-6).

The regional office of the Philippine National Police (PNP) logged 313 crimes from April 2 (Palm Sunday) to 8 (Easter Sunday).

The figure was lower by 8.74 percent compared to 343 crimes during last year’s Holy Week observance.

The number of focus crimes also decreased by 55.55 percent from 54 to 24.

The focus crimes are murder, homicide, physical injury, robbery, theft, vehicle theft, motorcycle theft and rape.

Police Brigadier General Leo M. Francisco, PRO-6 director, lauded the efforts of police personnel, force multipliers and members of the community in keeping the region peaceful during the week-long religious event.

“Sana ay magpatuloy po ang ganitong sistema kahit tapos na ang Semana Santa, yung mas mapababa pa natin at tuluyang mawala ang kriminalidad sa ating rehiyon,” he said.

“Umaasa po ako na sa patuloy na pagtutulungan ng lahat lalo na nang ating mga minamahal na kababayan ay maaabot natin ang ating hinahangad na katiwasayan, kapayapaan, at isang maunlad na pamayanan,” Francisco added.IMT