• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Police Regional Office – Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) reported a significant decline of 42 percent in murder cases across the region for January this year, compared to December last year, which it attributed to intensified crime prevention, sustained law enforcement efforts, strong coordination with local government units and community partners.
Murder forms part of eight focus crimes, composed also of homicide, physical injuries, rape theft, robbery, rape, motorcycles theft and carnapping of motor vehicles.
A total of 67 focus crimes were recorded by PRO-NIR for the month of January this year, compared to 76 last month, registering a reduction of 11.84 percent.
In a report, the PRO-NIR also noted a drop in theft cases by 33.33 percent, rape cases by 22.2 percent and 14.29 percent in physical injury cases.
While we are encouraged by these gains, we will not be complacent, disclosed PBrig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, police regional director of NIR, stressing that they will continue to strengthen law enforcement efforts to sustain the downward trend, and further enhance public safety across the region.*
