Focus crimes decline in September as PRO 2 records 44 cases

Incidents involving the eight focus crimes declined in Cagayan Valley in September, with the Police Regional Office 2 (PRO 2) recording 44 cases, seven fewer than the 51 cases reported in August.

PRO 2 said the figure represents a 13.73-percent decrease in focus crime incidents month-on-month.

Theft accounted for the biggest share with 14 cases, followed by physical injury with eight, rape with six, murder with five and homicide with four. Robbery and motorcycle carnapping each recorded three cases, while one case of motor vehicle carnapping was reported.

The regional police office also reported gains in its broader anti-criminality campaign through simultaneous anti-criminality law enforcement operations (SACLEO) conducted across the Cagayan Valley.

During the period, police arrested 286 wanted persons, including 19 individuals listed among the region’s top 10 most wanted persons.

Anti-drug operations also resulted in the arrest of 69 individuals and the confiscation of more than 242 grams of suspected shabu and 1,091 grams of marijuana, with a combined estimated value of more than P1.7 million.

In the campaign against illegal logging and violations of the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines, authorities arrested 23 individuals and seized around 9,664 board feet of lumber valued at approximately P2.3 million.

Police also arrested 112 individuals in 53 operations targeting illegal gambling.

PRO 2 likewise intensified its campaign against loose firearms and explosives under the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. Ten operations resulted in the arrest of 10 individuals and the confiscation of 11 firearms.

Separately, 63 firearms and 25 explosives were surrendered or recovered, while another 101 firearms were deposited with authorities through the cooperation of local communities and other stakeholders.

The campaign against smuggling led to the arrest of two individuals and the confiscation of smuggled goods with an estimated value of more than P568,000.

Meanwhile, coordinated operations against carnapping resulted in the recovery of five motor vehicles and motorcycles and the arrest of eight individuals.

Under the Safer Cities Initiative, PRO 2 recorded 66,329 violations of various local ordinances across the region.

Of the violators, 43,270 were fined, 23,029 were issued warnings and 30 were charged. Police provincial and city offices carried out the enforcement operations in support of the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s Safer Cities initiative.

PRO 2 Regional Director PBGen Mariano C. Rodriguez credited the results to the sustained efforts of police personnel, local government units, partner agencies and communities.

“The gains we have achieved in maintaining peace and security are a testament to the dedication, hard work, and strong collaboration of our police personnel, local government units, partner agencies, and the communities we serve,” Rodriguez said.

He said continued cooperation and collective action would be needed to strengthen public safety and build safer and more resilient communities across Cagayan Valley.