Crime rate down after quarantine

CEBU, Philippines —  The crime statistics in Cebu City has dropped by almost 50 percent after the declaration of the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and the implementation of curfew, Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Engelbert Soriano said.

"Ang usual top three natin na cases na physical injury, theft and robbery for the past two weeks, we have recorded a decline on the theft and robbery for about 50 percent ito," Soriano told reporters.

Prior to the declaration of community quarantine, the authorities were able to record three motorcycle theft.  After the declaration, the police have not recorded any incident involving stealing of motorcycle.

Soriano added that they saw a decrease in the number of top eight most focused crimes: murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, motorcycle theft, and carnapping.

On the theft and robbery cases which were mostly contributed by pickpocketing, Soriano said that they have recorded at least 20 to 30 cases, prior to the declaration.

After the GCQ was imposed, this has lowered down to about 13 cases in just a week of the implementation.

Soriano added that the heightened police visibility was also a factor to the decrease in the crime rate.

"Pwede ba nating sabihin na natakot din yung mga mandarambong? Malaking factor din yung gumagalaw hanggang barangay...malaking factor din yung maagang umuwi yung mga tawo," he said.

Soriano added that they will continue to monitor if the downtrend of the crime stats will continue in the next few weeks in Cebu City.  GAN (FREEMAN)