By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) will further strengthen their road checkpoints in the province against riding-in-tandem suspects.

NOCPPO spokesperson, Police Lt. Abegael Donasco, said police stations in the province are now required to have at least three checkpoints in their respective jurisdictions.

Donasco said it is a challenge for them since criminals are also cautious of police presence. However, she said they are trying their best in order to control crime incidents in the province.

She also urged the Negrenses to be vigilant with their surroundings in order for them not to be victimized by criminal elements.

Based on data released by NOCPPO for 2020, they have recorded a decrease in the number of eight focused crimes such as murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, and carnapping of vehicles and motorcycles.

Murder incidents that occurred in 2020 were only 176 compared to 202 in 2019. Homicide cases were also down with only 48 recorded cases last year.

Meanwhile, cases involving physical injuries decreased with only 106 recorded in 2020. Robbery and theft incidents were also down at 53 and 70 incidents, respectively.

Rape cases, meanwhile, remained the same at 154 and NOCPPO recorded no carnapping incidents last year./DGB, WDJ