Cebu crime rate drops

CEBU CITY, Philippines – The peace and order situation in Cebu has improved in the past four months, as the regional police office noted a 26 percent decrease in the number of crime incidents.

Chief Superintendent Prudencio Tom Bañas, Central Visayas police director, said yesterday that a total of 20,731 cases were recorded from June to September this year, lower than the 27,813 posted during the same period in 2013.

Bañas attributed the improvement to intensified anti-drug operations and police patrols, particularly in crime-prone areas. He said crimes normally occur between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. in dark and isolated areas.

The official said they have been tapping village officials to help police officers prevent and solve crimes.

He said the province’s index crime volume from June to September was 10,663, or a 20 percent decrease from 13,253 reported during the same period last year.

Index crimes, as defined by the Philippine National Police, are crimes against persons such as murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery and theft.

“A five percent increase in the crime solution efficiency was also recorded, from 44.96 percent in 2013 to 49.92 this year,” Bañas added.