DAGUPAN CITY Aug. 28 (PNA)– Region 1 remains generally peaceful and favorable for economic growth and investments even if motorcycle riding criminals continue to be the major concerns of the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies in the entire region.
This was disclosed by Police Senior Superintendent Angelito D. Dumangeng, chief of the Regional Operations and Planning Division, Police Regional Office 1 in his report to the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) chaired by Dagupan City Mayor Belen T. Fernandez in its meeting on August 27 at CSI Stadia.
Dumangeng said that from January to July this year, crime incidents in the region decreased by 5,057 from 31,806 recorded incidents in 2013 to 26,749 this year.
On crimes against persons, the region recorded 287 incidents, 203 of which were plain shooting incidents while 84 others were perpetrated by motorcycle riding criminals.
On crimes against property/robbery, a total of 482 incidents were recorded in police blotters and 21 of these were perpetrated by motorcycle riding criminals.
On physical injury, which is on top of the recorded crime incidents, out of 5,250 recorded incidents, 3,075 were found to be the results of vehicular traffic incidents.
By province, Pangasinan with its big land area and population is on top of the list with the most recorded crime incidents while La Union was at the bottom with only 60 crime incidents recorded.
On crime clearance and solution efficiency for index crimes, the region posted 63 and 47 percent, respectively, while it is 72 percent and 54 percent , respetively for non-index crimes.
“Crime clearance efficiency is when the suspect has been identified, a case has been filed but no arrest was made. On the other hand, crime solution efficiency is when the suspect was identified, arrested and a case has been filed in court against the suspect,” Dumangeng said.
To combat these crimes, the PRO1 under the leadership of acting Regional Director Police Chief Superintendent Roman A. Felix implemented a five-point action plan like establishing strong police presence, strong community partnership and collaboration, enhancement of disaster preparedness and response operation capability, review of other programs and assessment of strategies and initiatives.
Dumangeng said that as a result of the initiatives implemented by PRO1, there were 64 search warrant operations against loose firearms conducted resulting to the arrest of 69 persons and the confiscation of 65 firearms.
On the other hand, there were 330 anti-drug operations that were conducted resulting to the arrest of 537 persons and the confiscation of 304.83 kilograms of marijuana and another 1,141.77 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.
At the same time, a total of 8,403 checkpoint operations were conducted all over the region and nine of these turned out positive with the arrest of eight persons and the confiscation of 11 firearms.
Also, one wanted person in the regional level with a reward was captured while another five with rewards in the provincial level were also arrested. A total of 3,317 persons without rewards for their capture were also brought to justice.
“With the positive results recorded after implementing our action plans to deter commission of crimes in the region, we are confident that the region is generally the best place to live, work and do business,” Dumangeng said. (PNA)