The Police Regional Office 2 (PRO 2) recorded a 26.09-percent decline in eight focus crimes across the Cagayan Valley Region in August 2026, with reported incidents dropping to 51 from 69 cases in July.

The figure represents 18 fewer incidents compared with the previous month, with the decline largely attributed to reductions in theft, rape, murder, and carnapping involving motor vehicles.

Theft posted the biggest decrease, with nine fewer cases in August, while rape cases dropped by four. Murder and carnapping involving motor vehicles each declined by two cases.

Robbery cases also fell from 13 in July to 12 in August, while physical injury incidents decreased from five to four. Carnapping involving motorcycles likewise declined from two cases to one.

Homicide, however, was the only focus crime that increased during the period, rising from one case in July to three in August. PRO 2 said the increase highlights the need for closer monitoring and targeted preventive measures in areas where such incidents may be more likely to occur.

Among the police provincial offices, Cagayan PPO recorded the highest number of focus crime incidents in August with 28 cases, followed by Isabela PPO with 13. The two provincial offices accounted for 41 of the region's 51 cases, or 80.39 percent of the total.

Meanwhile, PRO 2 reported the arrest of 307 wanted persons during the month. Isabela PPO accounted for the highest number with 116 arrests, followed by Cagayan PPO with 104. Nueva Vizcaya PPO recorded 50 arrests, while Santiago City Police Office registered 19.

Batanes PPO maintained its July figure with one wanted person arrested, while Quirino PPO recorded 17 arrests, also unchanged from the previous month.

The region's anti-illegal drug campaign also resulted in the arrest of 113 individuals in 95 separate operations in August. Police seized more than 45 grams of suspected shabu and 48 grams of marijuana, with a combined estimated value of more than P310,523.

Among the notable operations were those conducted in Aparri and Calayan in Cagayan.

In the campaign against illegal logging, authorities arrested 20 individuals and confiscated approximately 18,472 board feet of lumber with an estimated market value of P1.2 million.

PRO 2 also continued its enforcement of Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, through intensified operations against loose firearms and explosives.

The regional police office conducted 39 operations that resulted in the arrest of 16 individuals and the confiscation of 136 firearms. Of these, 16 were confiscated during operations, 113 were surrendered, and seven were captured. Police also recorded the voluntary turnover of 58 firearms for safekeeping.

The campaign against smuggling likewise resulted in the arrest of seven individuals.

Coordinated operations against carnapping and illegal fishing led to the recovery of two motor vehicles and motorcycles, while two individuals were arrested for illegal fishing.

Under the Safer Cities Initiative, PRO 2 documented 55,345 violations of various local ordinances in support of the Department of the Interior and Local Government's Safer Cities initiative for highly urbanized cities.

The violations included 4,237 apprehensions for drinking in public places, 231 smoking-ban violations, 595 cases involving walking in public without a shirt, 270 anti-littering violations, 171 instances of operating karaoke systems beyond prescribed hours, and 2,067 curfew violations involving minors.

Police also recorded three violations involving the wearing of balaclavas, 46,430 traffic code violations, 1,009 violations involving illegal structures and obstructions during road-clearing operations, and 332 other ordinance violations.

PRO 2 Regional Director PBGen Rodriguez commended police personnel across the region for their continued efforts in maintaining police visibility and carrying out law enforcement operations.

Rodriguez also emphasized the importance of coordination among police units, local government units, partner agencies, and communities in sustaining peace and security in the region.

“These accomplishments reflect the dedication and teamwork of our police personnel, in close coordination with our local government units, partner agencies, and the communities we serve,” Rodriguez said.

“Peace and security is a shared responsibility, and our continued collaboration is vital to keeping our communities safe and secure,” he added.