Eastern Visayas PNP says police effort behind decline in region’s crime volume

TACLOBAN CITY—Crime volume in Eastern Visayas has dropped in the past seven months compared to the same period in 2019.

Brig. Gen. Bernabe Balba, regional police director, said the decline in number of crimes came as the region battled the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to records of the police’s Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division, crime volume from January to August this year fell by at least 15 percent.

“Despite these trying times, I am glad that we have decreased crime incidents in the region,” said Balba.

He said the data showed that the police were exerting “utmost efforts to be effective in crime prevention as they risk their lives to fight COVID-19.”

At least 5,752 crimes were recorded in the region in the past seven months compared with the 6,768  in the same period in 2019.

The number of crimes against persons, like murder, physical injury and rape, fell from 1,474 in the same months in 2019 to 921 this year, or a 37.5 percent drop.

The number of non-index crimes, however, rose by 4.68 percent or 158 cases more than last year’s, said Balba. These involved violations of special laws like those against illegal drugs, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, direct assault, illegal gambling, illegal logging and illegal fishing.

The number of public safety index crimes, like physical injury, damage to property and homicide, fell by 621 cases from last year’s record.

TSB