The Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOrPPO) revealed during the recent Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting, the province saw a 40 percent drop in the crime rate last month with 397 criminal incidents reported in May, down from the 665 recorded during the same period last year.

According to NOrPPO director, Police Senior Superintendent Raul Tacaca, the greater majority of incidence were non-index crime, which includes child abuse, illegal drugs, illegal firearms, traffic offenses, among others.

In terms of index crime, which include murder, homicide, physical injury and rape, and crimes against property, a total 79 incidents were recorded./WDJ