By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) has recorded an increase in the number of crime incidents in the province this year, based on the new data released yesterday.

NOCPPO data show that from January 1 to December 15, the province recorded a total of 4,132 crime incidents, an increase by 15.74 percent, compared to the same period last year wherein they recorded 3,570 crimes.

The eight focus crimes — comprised of murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, carnapping, and motornapping — have also climbed with 695 incidents, an increase of 15.26 percent compared to last year.

The NOCPPO’s crime solution rate has also risen to 97.59 percent, compared to last year’s 94.55 percent.

The Crime Solution Efficiency — the percentage of solved cases out of the total number of crime incidents — is at 87.76 percent, compared to 2021’s 82.87 percent, data showed.

Meanwhile, NOCPPO spokesperson, Police Lt. Judesses Catalogo said the reason for the crime rate increase was due to increased human activity in the province following the lifting of restrictions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Catalogo pointed out that with festivals now being celebrated again and with the reopening of local businesses, they were already expecting that the number of crime incidents would also increase.

Furthermore, he also pointed to the NOCPPO’s accomplishments wherein they have seized a total of P107,580,781.88 worth of illegal drugs in the same period this year.

Around 678 illegal drug operations were conducted in the province and 843 persons were arrested.

A total of 15,670 grams of shabu were seized this year, while marijuana confiscations were at 8,569.92 grams.

In the campaign against illegal gambling, the police conducted 698 operations resulting in the arrest of 2,466 individuals and confiscation of P270,313 worth of bet money.

A total of 1,148 firearms were surrendered, and 350 most wanted persons were arrested this year./DGB, WDJ