ILOILO City – From January to December of 2022, crimes in Western Visayas reached 2,783 cases – an 8.66 percent drop from the 3,047 cases recorded in 2021.
These cases included the eight focus crimes: murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, carnapping, and motornapping.
Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) data showed that of the 2,783 crimes last year, the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office recorded the most number of cases at 700. It was followed by the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (624), Capiz Police Provincial Office (389), Iloilo City Police Office (382), Bacolod City Police Office (257), Aklan Police Provincial Office (209), Antique Police Provincial Office (151), and Guimaras Police Provincial Office (71).
The regular conduct of Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO) of all concerned units, and the active support of the different local government units (LGUs), barangay officials, force multipliers, and advocacy support groups were among the significant factors, according to Police Brigadier General Leo Francisco, PRO-6 director.
“Maraming salamat sa patuloy niyong dedikasyon at sipag para mapanatiling tahimik at mapayapa ang inyong lugar. Pero hindi dito nagtatapos ang ating trabaho. Ipagpatuloy at paghusayin pa natin ang ating kampanya kontra kriminalidad. Pinapasalamatan ko rin ang force multipliers, advocacy support groups, barangay officials at lokal na pamahalaan sa inyong walang sawang pagsuporta sa ating kapulisan. Makikita po natin ang tagumpay na mapanatili ang kapayapaan kung tayo ay patuloy na magtutulungan,” Francisco said.
The region’s top cop commended all unit commanders for their efficient leadership and the commitment of all police personnel in successfully reducing crime incidents in their respective areas of responsibility.
“We urged all police chiefs and city and provincial directors to continue their efforts in maintaining peace and order in the country,” he added./PN
