Director Guillermo Eleazar, NCRPO chief (Photo by JAM STA ROSA / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — Contrary to the popular belief that crime incidence rises during the so-called “ber” months, there is actually a downward trend of the average crime rate every September, October, November and December, according to Director Guillermo Eleazar, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
The trend was observed starting 2016, back when he was still the director of the Quezon City Police District.
“Yan ang laging iniisip natin, na sinasabi ng lahat na pagdating ng ‘ber’ months, tumataas [ang krimen],” Eleazar said Saturday in an interview with AM radio station DZMM. “Nagpa-research ako ng data and statistics, chineck ko ngayon yung average monthly index crime doon sa ‘ber’ months versus non-‘ber’ months.”
“So basically ang ber months is September to December, non-ber months naman is January to August. No’ng 2016, bumaba pa nga ng 11 percent, sa ber months compared to non-ber months, for 2017, mas mababa ng nine percent, ” Eleazar explained.
For this year, average monthly crime index rates for ber months — excluding December — compared to non-“ber” months are still lower.
“Sa ngayon hindi pa naman tapos ‘yong December, pero tinignan for the three months ng September, October, November, yung average compared to non-“ber” months, mas mababa ng eight percent. At least for this last three years, hindi totoo na mas mataas,” he added.
Eleazar said that this could be attributed to continuous reminders about the prevalence of crime as the holiday season neared.
He added that the public might have been prepared for untoward incidents.
“Alam niyo kung bakit, ang naisip ko doon is that ’yung anticipation. Dahil nga nag-aanticipate na mataas ang krimen, ’yung mga pulis nagbabantay. In the same manner, because of the media, naipaparating natin sa kanila kung ano ang dapat gawin at hindi dapat gawin,” Eleazar said.
Still, he reminded people to still take extra precautions when traveling for the holidays, especiall if they would be away from home for long periods of time
“Safety is everybody’s concern, so ang ating mga pulis ay nandito para gawin ang ating tungkulin pero hinihingi po natin ang inyong kooperasyon at suporta dahil ‘pag tulong-tulong nating gagawin, maiiwasan natin ang krimen sa ating mga kabahayan,” Eleazar said.
Previously, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reminded people to be careful in using social media, as bad elements may use information available online in their plans.
They also asked people to monitor transactions made through the internet, especially using online shopping platforms, after reports of fraud and wrong purchases.
For problems, complainants may use the 911 emergency hotline or NCRPO’s text numbers: 0915-888-8181 (Globe), 0999-901-8181 (Smart). /atm