LEGAZPI CITY, Albay, Philippines — The strict enforcement of community quarantine guidelines has led to a drop in crime incidence in Bicol during the first three quarters, police said.
“The decline in crime figures may be attributed to a policing strategy bringing more policemen in the streets, setting up checkpoints and anticrime operations to ensure public safety amid the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Brig. Gen. Bartolome Bustamante, regional police director.
Bustamante, quoting from data released by the Philippine National Police, said crime incidence from January to September this year posted a 21-percent drop at 13,476 cases, or 3,711 cases lower than the 17,187 reported during the same period last year.
Theft was the leading crime with 646 incidents reported, followed by rape (437), robbery (270), physical injuries (258), murder (213), motorcycle theft (48) and homicide (44). Police said 76 percent (10,241) of the incidents reported had been solved.
—Mar Arguelles