Central Visayas crime rate drops

CEBU CITY – The number of crime incidents in Central Visayas significantly dropped in the first six months of this year as compared to the same period last year, a report from the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 showed.

From 4,338 cases in the period January to June of 2008, the crime volume dropped to 4,046 this year and the PRO 7 attributed the decline to intensified police visibility in areas identified as crime-prone.

“Intelligence monitoring and coordination between local leaders and other civic entities and sectors advocating peace and order have contributed to the decline of the number of crimes,” said Senior Supt. Melvin Buenafe, chief of the Regional Intelligence Division of PRO 7, during the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) meeting at the Provincial Capitol on Wednesday afternoon.

Buenafe, chief of the Regional Intelligence Division of the Police Regional Office-7, said that despite the PNP report that Cebu City is the most-crime prone area of all local government units in the region, it “remains as the most desirable place to live, visit and do business in.”

In crime volume, Cebu City recorded 1,307. It was followed by Cebu province with 1,085; Bohol with 571; Lapu-Lapu City with 430; Oriental Negros with 342; Mandaue City with 270 and Siquijor with 41.

Cases of murder in Central Visayas reduced from 232 in 2008 to 219 for the first half of this year. There is a slight decrease in homicide cases from 101 in 2008 to 99 this year.

Vehicular accidents contributed to cases of physical injuries from 860 in 2008 to 832 cases in 2009. Robbery cases slightly increased from 555 in 2008 to 566 this year.

There were 887 thefts cases for this year in Central Visayas compared to 990 last year.

Buenafe added that Cebu province, including its component cities, posted 16,715 unrenewed firearms. It was followed by Oriental Negros with 3,032; Bohol with 2,749 and Siquijor with only 131 recorded. #