The Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office reported a 21.5-percent drop in crime incidents in the province in the first quarter of 2021.
During the Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting, the NORPPO reported that there were 1,661 crimes recorded this year compared to 2,116 in 2020.
Of the total crime volume, index crimes decreased with 73 incidents or by 32.3 percent, with theft having the highest number, followed by physical injuries and murder, a government press release said.
Index crimes refer to serious crimes, such as murder, homicide, and physical injury, as well as robbery, rape, theft, and carjacking.
Non-index crimes also decreased by 9.8 percent or 105 incidents, with cases mostly traffic-related and in violation of special laws, that include the anti-illegal drugs law, gambling, and loose firearms campaign, including the application of search warrant.
The most prevalent index crime was theft with 42 incidents, followed by physical injury – 39, and murder – 28 incidents.
For the non-index crimes, police noted a decrease of 276 cases in traffic-related incidents followed by special laws.
For offenses punishable under the Revised Penal Code and Special Laws, such as the enforcement of Republic Act 9165, or anti-illegal drugs campaign, the police nabbed 178 pushers and confiscated 820.42 grams of shabu and 7.11 grams of marijuana, with a total value of more than P5 million, the report said.
Under RA 9287, or campaign against illegal gambling, the police arrested 759 persons and confiscated bet money amounting to P76,602.50.
For the campaign against loose firearms, or RA 8294, the PNP arrested 57 persons, recovered or confiscated 373 firearms, and recorded 211 surrendered firearms.*
