ILOILO City – The police have recorded a decline in crime incidents during the first five months of 2022, making Western Visayas (Region 6) more welcoming to investors as the region moves toward recovery from the adverse economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
“It’s safe to conduct business here. We are willing to conduct briefings to investors,” said Brigadier General Flynn Dongbo, Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) director.
Dongbo said business groups are encouraged to report to authorities unusual things happening in their surroundings so appropriate action can be taken.
Colonel Gilbert Gorero, chief of the PRO-6 regional operations management division, presented on June 6 the region’s total crime incidents (TOIs) – 8,366 from January to May this year, 3.56 percent lower compared with the same period last year.
“The total crime volume does not only involve eight focus crimes but it includes vehicular accidents,’” Gorero said.
Iloilo City recorded the most significant decrease with 23.25 percent or 1,772, down from 2,309 cases last year. A decrease was also noted in Aklan and Bacolod City.
In terms of peace and order, cases declined by 16.48 percent or equivalent to 4,110 cases from previous year’s 4,921, with Iloilo City recording the highest reduction at 41.22 percent.
The focus crimes include murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, and carnapping.
The decline was particularly noted for incidents of murder, physical injury, rape, and vehicle theft.
Public safety or traffic incidents, however, increased by 13.37 percent with Guimaras recording the highest leap at 83.63 percent.
“Crime incidents in Western Visayas are manageable. No high profile crime was recorded, no liquidation of personnel, zero political killing, zero kidnap-for-ransom, zero bank robbery, and zero terrorism,” Gorero said. (PNA/PN)
