Cebu crime rate drops in GCQ

CEBU, Philippines — A month after the implementation of the general community quarantine (GCQ) in Cebu Province, the momentum on the decrease of crime rate continues, said Police Colonel Roderick Mariano, Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) Director.

The transition of GCQ from the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) started last May 20 yielded a decrease in 195 incidents, as compared to last year’s record during the same period. The cops saw a 71.17 percent decrease.

Among the eight focus crimes, theft and physical injuries remained as the top most committed violations. However, in the same period of last year, the cases of physical injury decreased from 73 to just 37, while the theft cases decreased from 105 to 17.

“Talagang bumaba. During sa ECQ period, nag-decrease tayo from March 30 to May 19.  Nag-decrease din tayo ng total na 534 incidents from the previous year na 725, naging 191 lang.  So, 73.66 percent, from that ECQ period lang,” Mariano said.

He added that the decrease continued even after they have implemented the GCQ in the province when several establishments had reopened. During the implementation of GCQ, security protocols remained that might have added in the continuing decrease in the crime rate.

The same police deployment and same police security measures were still in place under GCQ.

Mariano said the community, being used to the presence of border checkpoints and police visibility, has been an additional factor in the decreasing crime rate.

“Unang-una, manatili pa rin tayo sa ating mga kabahayanan, lalo na doon sa mga wala namang purpose sa paglabas.  Hinahayaan natin ang ating nga workers na pumasok at after noon umuwi rin kaagad,” Mariano said.

“But for those who are authorized na persons outside their residence, mas maganda na nasa bahay lang tayo kasi hindi rin naman natatapos ang ating problema sa COVID, andyan pa rin sya,” he added.

Mariano also called on the public to be responsible in observing the GCQ guidelines including the mandatory wearing of masks and proper social distancing. GAN (FREEMAN)