PNP-7 directs all police chiefs to double efforts to reduce crime rate this Christmas
By Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU CITY, December 5 (PIA) – Provincial and city police directors in Central Visayas are directed to double their efforts in reducing crime rate in their respective areas and not make the Christmas period an excuse why crime volume goes up during the yuletide season.
Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Deputy Director for Operations S/Supt. Louie Oppus told the police commanders to personally see to it that their anti-criminality measures are being implemented to ensure that there is peace and order in their local communities.
“I am challenging all the provincial and city police directors to further reduce crime rate this Christmas period. If not reduce, then let there be a plateau as long as there us no significant increase,” Oppus stressed.
Oppus said that there seems to be already a “mind-setting” that crime volume usually goes up especially during the Christmas period because of increased economic activities.
“Never make the Christmas Season an excuse not to do your job well. I am giving all police commanders a fair warning to do their job right.” Oppus declared.
For the past 10 months, this year, the total crime volume in the region has decreased by 25 percent as compared to last year of the same period, the PRO-7 reported.
S/Supt. Mariano Natuel Jr., chief of the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Bureau of PRO -7 reported that from January to October, 2011, the total crime volume in Central Visayas is 21,535 as compared to last year’s 28,808 of the same period.
“Index crimes and non index crimes also reported a decline in volume for the past 10 months,” Natuel disclosed.
Oppus said they are strictly monitoring the actions being initiated by the different police offices on crime prevention measures because “we want the Christmas to be peaceful and cheerful.”
The police official however, said that the police cannot do it alone and that community should also be vigilant and do their share in making their community peaceful.
Peace and order is a very basic element to fast track economic progress in any locality as Pres. Aquino underscored the importance of a peaceful climate to attract investments and promote tourism. (PIA-Cebu)