ILOILO City – The crime volume in Western Visayas dropped by 45 percent this year from January to July, according to Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao, regional police director.
The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) recorded 16,148 crimes during the period, lower than the 29,127 incidents reported during those months last year, he said during yesterday’s 117th Police Service anniversary celebration in Camp Delgado.
“The numbers speak for themselves. Less number of crimes means better peace and order situation,” Bulalacao told Philippine National Police deputy director general Ramon Apolinario, guest of honor.
In the campaign against illegal drugs from January to July, 1,094 drug personalities were apprehended.
Bulalacao said this was 93 percent higher than the 565 suspects caught last year during the same period.
The total worth of illegal drugs so far confiscated this year, on the other hand, reached P54 million, far greater than the P4.2 million estimated value of prohibited substances seized in 2017 from January to July.
“Our policemen are working hard to neutralize drug personalities and stop the entry of illegal drugs to the region,” said Bulalacao.
The PRO-6 was also making headway in the campaign against illegal gambling with 1,930 suspects caught – 27.1 percent higher than last year’s arrest of 505 suspects.
According to Bulalacao, there was also a surge in the number of fugitives collared –36 percent (1,752 this year against 1,111 last year).
In the drive against loose firearms, the PRO-6 netted 2,515 guns from January to August, the police director revealed.
The PRO-6 launched the campaign “Tokhang Kontra Ginadilian nga Pusil” just last month.
“We will never rest on our laurels. There is always room for improvement. This is our commitment to the people of Region 6,” said Bulalacao.
He recognized the support of the community, especially those who surrendered their firearms.
The director said he expects a peaceful region especially during the 2019 midterm election.
“If these firearms are still out there, these might cause a number of violent incidents,” said Bulalacao.
There are an estimated 69,000 loose firearms in Western Visayas, he said.
“We know these guns are being used by unscrupulous individuals to perpetrate crimes,” said Bulalacao. (With a report from the Philippine News Agency/PN)
