ILOILO City – Crime incidents in Western Visayas dropped amid quarantine restrictions brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.
Records from the Crime Incidents Recording and Analysis System of the Police Regional Office 6’s (PRO-6) Investigation and Detective Management Division showed that from March 16, 2020 to March 15, 2021 there were a total of 19,295 crimes committed – 33.24 percent lower from the 28,900 incidents logged between March 16, 2019 and March 15, 2020.
The Iloilo City Police Office, among the top contributors, recorded a 59.38 percent drop in crimes within the same period.
The eight “focus crimes” like murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, carnapping and motornapping also decreased by 65.14 percent.
PRO-6 director Police Brigadier General Rolando Miranda attributed the drop to the “strict implementation of quarantine restrictions coupled with the continuous crime prevention efforts of the PRO-6 in coordination with its stakeholders.”
The 24-hour conduct of checkpoints and manning of quarantine control points, in coordination with barangay officials, were also considered as contributing factors.
Other law enforcement operations such as the campaign against illegal drugs, loose firearms and wanted persons were also factors.
With the easing of some quarantine restrictions and rollout of vaccines, Miranda said an increase in crime incidents is expected.
However, the PRO-6 is intensifying its anti-crime strategy via the Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO).
The EMPO is a tool for police commanders to prevent crimes in their areas.
The deployment of personnel and resources depends on the analysis of crime incidents occurring in the jurisdiction of every police station or unit.
Miranda is appealing to the public to cooperate with the Philippine National Police’s crime prevention efforts.
“Peace and order is not solely our responsibility. The public must cooperate with our efforts,” Miranda said.
Meanwhile, the PRO-6 continues to download police personnel to the field and other police stations for additional police presence, especially during nighttime.
“We will be sending more police personnel to the field for crime prevention,” Miranda added./PN