Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) regional headquarters in Legazpi City (PNA file photo)
LEGAZPI CITY – The Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO-5) said it had solved at least 81 percent of the crimes reported in 2022.
Lt. Col. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, PRO-5 spokesperson, said Sunday 17,251 crimes were reported from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2022.
Out of the more than 17,000 crimes recorded, Calubaquib said, 80.80 percent were solved.
A case is considered “solved” when four elements – the offender has been identified, there is sufficient evidence to charge him, the offender has been taken into custody and the offender has been charged before the prosecutor's office or court of appropriate jurisdiction – are present, she said.
PRO-5 reported that 963 anti-drug operations were conducted that led to the arrest of 254 high-value individuals (HVIs) and 765 street-level individuals (SLI). Nine suspects were killed in those operations while PHP96.8 million worth of shabu were confiscated.
It also said there were 732 operations launched against loose firearms that resulted in the arrest of 332 persons and 14 deaths.
Seized, surrendered and recovered from violators were 614 assorted firearms and 365 criminal cases were filed.
Meanwhile, a total of PHP532,717 cash bets were recovered from the 1,713 suspects during anti-gambling operations.
In a campaign to protect the environment, 631 individuals were arrested for illegal fishing which also led to the impounding of PHP38.3 million worth of fish.
Continued crackdown on illegal logging was also prioritized by the unit with 180 operations and the arrest of 278 offenders and PHP1.3 million worth of lumbers and flitches.
Also, a total of 5,701 wanted persons were nabbed by the authorities while 45 members of criminal gangs were captured during 85 operations.
The interminable operation of PRO-5 in the fight against insurgency had also weakened the New People’s Army with the capture of 142 members of the rebel group, the surrender of 258 and the death of 33 members.
Also recovered during Internal Security Operations were 186 assorted firearms and 202 explosives. (PNA)
