FEWER CRIMES. Police in the Cordillera region reported an 18 percent decrease in crime volume in April and May 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018. Non-index crimes, which make up the volume, recorded a decrease of 26 percent, from 1,113 in 2018 down to 827. (PNA file photo)
BAGUIO CITY -- Crime volume in the Cordillera Region dropped by 18 percent, with five of the six provincial and city governments recording fewer crimes in April and May, the Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PROCOR) reported.
Lt. Col. Homer Penecilla, PROCOR operations chief, said the region recorded 1,057 crimes from April to May, which is lower by 18 percent compared to the same period in 2018 where the regional police noted 1,287 cases.
Non-index crimes, which make up the volume, recorded a decrease of 26 percent, from 1,113 in 2018 down to 827.
Index crimes include the eight focused-crimes which the Philippine National Police constantly monitor such as murder, homicide, physical injuries, rape, robbery, theft, carnapping and cattle rustling.
Due to the consumption of alcoholic beverages, physical injuries make up most of the focused crimes at 33.91 percent or 78 cases. This is followed by theft (28 percent), robbery (15 percent), rape (9.5 percent), murder (6.9 percent), carnapping (4.35 percent) and homicide (2.17 percent).
Penecilla said Baguio City, Ifugao and Apayao provinces recorded the highest decrease in crime volume. Baguio recorded 562 cases in 2018 down to 328 in 2019; Ifugao from 83 cases in 2018 to 49 while Apayao from 38 cases to 22 in 2019.
Abra province also recorded a 17 percent decrease, from 121 to 100; Mountain Province from 49 to 36 or 27 percent.
Benguet and Kalinga, however, recorded a 16 percent and 8 percent increase, respectively.
For 2019, Cordillera has an average monthly crime rate of 29.66 percent, which is an 18 percent decrease from 36.11 percent during the same period in 2018.
The police constantly report the peace and order situation in the region, which President Rodrigo R. Duterte said is directly associated with the progress and development of an area.
In several speeches, Duterte said businessmen invest and bring in capital when they feel safe and confident that their money is secured from losses brought about by criminal activities and elements. (PNA)
