Criminal cases in Ilocos Region down by 23% in H1 2024

MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – The Police Regional Office-Ilocos Region (PRO-1) recorded 3,589 crimes from January to June this year, 23.57 percent lower than the 4,696 incidents during the same period last year.

Index crimes reached 408 cases as of the first half this year, lower than year-ago's 612 cases, according to the report of PRO-1 director Brig. Gen. Lou Frias Evangelista during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum hosted by the Philippine Information Agency-Ilocos on Tuesday.

Index crimes include murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft and carjacking, among others.

Of the index crimes, murder slightly increased from 65 to 69 cases; while physical injury declined from 91 to 60, rape cases from 212 to 92, robbery from 45 to 39, theft from 145 to 105, carjacking of motor vehicles from five to four, carjacking of motorcycles from 30 to 22, and special complex crimes from two cases to one.

Homicide cases for both periods stood at 16 cases.

Non-index crimes, which are the violations of special laws and local ordinances, also decreased from 2,146 in January to June 2023 to 1,544 during the same period this year.

Under non-index crimes, the violation of special laws decreased from 1,520 last year to 1,107 this year, while violations of the Revised Penal Code dropped from 626 to 437.

The number of vehicular traffic incidents were lower from 1,938 in 2023 to 1,637 this year. However, the number of casualties slightly increased from 189 to 198.

"The decrease in the crime incidents can be attributed to the conduct of intensified police operations, synchronized anti-criminality and law enforcement operations to include checkpoint operations, drag enforcement, intelligence-driven operations, and joint law enforcement operations," Evangelista said.

Evangelista highlighted the regional office's seven-point agenda, dubbed SECURED or the strategic approach in crime prevention and solution activities; engaging the community for safer neighborhood; compassion for police personnel; upholding the rule of law and justice while implementing effective law enforcement; robust quad concept in the execution of police operation; enhancing public safety and internal security; and digital transformation for efficient policing.

He said they will also revitalize the Pulis sa Barangay (cops in communities), wherein an officer will immerse with the community to address their security and peace and order needs. (PNA)