BACOLOD CITY — Total crime volume here decreased by 18.85 percent in the month of July as crimes against persons and properties declined by 52.27 percent during the period, latest records of Bacolod City Police showed.
Chief Insp. Sherlock Gabana, city police public information officer, said the sustained operation of Bacolod policemen, coupled with increased public awareness on crime prevention, has resulted in lower crimes in the city.
“More people are now involved in crime prevention efforts. They have become aware that crime prevention is a shared responsibility, it’s not only the obligation of law enforcement agencies,” Gabana said in a press briefing on Wednesday afternoon.
In the first six months of 2018, the city’s crime volume dropped by 20.83 percent to only 1,486 cases from the previous year’s 1,877.
Last month, the Bacolod Police recorded 244 crime incidents, lower by 46 compared to the 198 cases in July 2017.
Index crimes, also referred to as the eight focus crimes — murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, carnapping, and stealing of motorcycles — were down by 46 cases from 88 in July last year to only 42 this year.
Volume of non-index crimes, which include reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, physical injury and damage to properties as well as violations of other special laws, was steady at 156 cases in both July 2017 and 2018.
In the 31 days last month, personnel conducted 88 police initiated operations, up by 72.55 percent from last year’s 51.
Operations conducted against illegal gambling increased by 134 percent — from 20 in July last year to 34 this year.
A total of 107 persons were arrested and 35 cases were filed for violations of both Presidential Decree 1602 and Republic Act 9287.
Anti-illegal drug operations increased by 13.79 percent — from 29 in July last year to 33 in July 2018.
Last month, operatives seized 313 grams of “shabu” (methamphetamine hydrochloride) worth PHP4.696 million.
Forty-nine drug personalities were arrested, including three high-value targets, three street level targets, and 43 newly-identified suspects.
The Bacolod Police filed a total of 86 drug cases during the period. (Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA)
