By CESAR JOLITO III
The Police Regional Office in the Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) recorded a significant decline in focus crimes in 2025, reflecting strengthened law enforcement operations, intensified crime-prevention measures and sustained cooperation with local communities across the region.
Based on consolidated crime data, incidents under the Eight Focus Crimes category fell from 1,299 cases in 2024 to 1,012 cases in 2025, marking a reduction of 287 incidents or about 22.1 percent.
Crime statistics showed notable decreases in several major categories.
Murder cases dropped from 260 to 209, while physical injury cases declined from 201 to 123.
Rape incidents went down from 340 to 262, robbery cases decreased from 98 to 74, and theft incidents fell from 282 to 223.
Motorcycle carnapping also slightly declined from 37 to 34 cases.
Meanwhile, homicide cases saw a slight increase from 80 to 84, while motor vehicle carnapping rose from one case in 2024 to three cases in 2025.
Despite the lower crime volume, PRO-NIR maintained a strong crime solution performance.
For 2025, the regional police cleared 295 cases, solved 682 incidents, and reported only 35 cases remaining unsolved.
PRO-NIR said the overall decline highlights the effectiveness of focused police strategies, including intelligence-driven operations, enhanced police visibility and faster response times.
All provincial and city police offices in the region contributed to the gains through sustained anti-criminality efforts, strengthened intelligence coordination, and active community engagement.
“This significant reduction in focus crimes is a clear testament to the discipline, dedication and professionalism of our PRO-NIR personnel,” Regional Director Brigadier General Arnold Thomas Ibay said.
“Our police officers are not only enforcing the law but are also actively preventing crime through visibility, intelligence and close partnership with our communities,” he added.
Ibay said that while progress has been made, the police force remains committed to further improving crime prevention and case resolution, especially in addressing emerging and complex crime trends.
PRO-NIR assured the public that it will continue to intensify crime-prevention programs, enhance investigation and case build-up, strengthen inter-agency and community collaboration, and sustain the gains achieved in maintaining peace and order in NIR.
“Our direction is firm and uncompromising: proactive policing, swift justice and zero tolerance for criminality,” Ibay said.
“We owe this to the people of the Negros Island Region, and we will continue to deliver a police service that is visible, responsive and worthy of public trust,” he added./CJ, WDJ