BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – “Tiempo muerto” or the time when sugar centrals stop milling and the cultivation of sugarcane is temporarily over is being thought of as driving the spike in Negros Occidental’s robbery cases.
During “tiempo muerto” (dead season), many people in the local sugar industry have no jobs.
According to Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office’s (NOCPPO) Police Lieutenant Judesses Catalogo, neighboring provinces are also seeing a surge in crimes against property.
Data from the NOCPPO showed the month of June with 46 robbery cases, 33 of which were solved.
For the month of July, however, the numbers have yet to reach their previous baselines.
Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) director Police Brigadier General Flynn Dongbo ordered the NOCPPO to step up police visibility particularly in areas of convergence to discourage robbers from striking.
In 2021 from January to June, the PRO-6 recorded 330 theft cases. This year within the same period, it listed 372.
“Na-inform naton ang mga unit commanders across the region nga dapat mangin alerto kag bantayan nila ang ila respective areas of responsibility,” said Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Solis, the PRO-6 spokesperson.
He also urged the public to be vigilant, especially because the lean months are approaching.
Do not be victimized by thieves, said Solis.
He also revealed that young (minor) theft suspects apprehended will be turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Solis urged parents and guardians to watch over their children./PN
