BAGUIO CITY — Crime in Baguio City increased by 3 percent from January to May this year compared with the same period in 2025, according to the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO).

During the recent joint second-quarter meeting of the City Peace and Order Council and the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council, police reported 300 index and non-index crimes in the first five months of the year, up from 292 during the same period last year.

Data showed that non-index crimes declined to 166 cases from 184 a year ago. However, index crimes rose to 134 cases from 109, a 23 percent increase.

BCPO Director Col. Ruel Tagel said the increase in index crimes was largely driven by property-related offenses. Most incidents occurred late at night in areas without closed-circuit television cameras and during rush hours.

Tagel attributed most robbery and theft cases to repeat offenders facing socioeconomic challenges. He added that motorcycle thefts were commonly reported at night in undesignated parking areas.

The BCPO also recorded a slight decline in both its crime solution efficiency and crime clearance efficiency due to several ongoing investigations.

To address the increase, the local police force is adjusting personnel deployment and stepping up inspections of business establishments. Businesses operating without active security cameras are being referred to the city government for possible administrative action.

Police are also coordinating with barangay officials to monitor repeat offenders, expanding the "Panag-aywan ti Kailyan" 2.0 (Caring for the Community) public safety initiative, increasing enforcement of local ordinances, and providing investigators with additional training to improve case monitoring and tracking.