Crime volume in Cebu dips by 18 percent in ‘11
By Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU CITY, January 17 (PIA) -- Cebu’s total crime volume dropped by 18 percent last year from 8,429 cases in 2010 which dipped to 6,916 by 2011.
Cebu Provincial Police Director S/Supt. Patrocinio Commendador attributed the decrease in crime volume to their consistent implementation of anti-crime programs and interventions.
“Index crimes or crimes against properties and persons also registered a drop from 5,776 cases in 2010 down to 4,750 cases last year,” Commendador disclosed.
Cebu however, topped in the most number of cases such as physical injury, homicide, rape, murder and car-napping in the region while Cebu City had the highest number of theft and robbery cases in Central Visayas, according to a report from the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7.
Non-index crimes or violations of special laws such as illegal drugs, illegal fishing and illegal gambling among others likewise recorded a decrease from 2,653 cases in 2010 down to 2,166 cases in 2011, Commendador reported.
“We were able to conduct 447 anti-drug operations last year and arrested 533 people with 405 cases now filed in court,” according to Commendador.
On illegal gambling, the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) apprehended 461 people based on the 260 operations conducted. Two hundred twenty-six cases are now filed in the proper courts, Commendador added.
Average monthly crime rate also dropped by 4.5 percent or “there are five people out of 100,000 population,” the CPPO chief declared.
Commendador said that this year, they will continue their campaign in pursuing wanted persons, sustain the implementation of existing programs and conduct more aggressive patrolling to further reduce crime volume in the province. (PIA-Cebu)
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“Thank You Senyor Sto. Niño,” for the good weather
during the Sinulog Mardi Gras, Mayor Rama says
By Fayette C. Riñen
CEBU CITY, January 16 (PIA) – “Thank You Senyor Sto. Niño,” for the fairly good weather and the successful conduct of the 2012 Sinulog Grand Parade without any significant weather disruption amid the earlier warning forecast of PAGASA to brace for a rainy weekend.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama expressed his gratitude and attributed the nice weather to the blessings of the Holy Child Jesus Senyor Sto. Niño as he concluded that the 32nd conduct of the Sinulog Mardi Gras was extremely successful.
Though yesterday afternoon, drizzling occurred but only barely for an hour and did not worsen enough to dampen the cheerful mood of the revelers estimated between 3.8 to 4 million people at the height of the grand parade.
Rama also recognized the hard efforts in making the event a memorable one particularly the people behind the Sinulog Foundation, Inc., the Philippine National Police in ensuring peace and order, AFP-Central Command for the crowd control assisted by the different schools and universities and other government agencies as well as the private sector.
“The success of the Sinulog Festival is not only the success of the Cebu City Government but to all Cebuanos because the Sinulog is our pride where we celebrate it not only for the cultural and tourism aspect but also it is a religious occasion where we pay homage to our Child Jesus,” Rama stressed.
One hundred thirty-five contingents competed during the grand parade while the program lasted close to 9:00 p.m. that ended with a dazzling fireworks show. Cebuano talents in the field of arts, fashion and business among others were also recognized.
The Cebu Bus Operators fielded 30 buses last night to provide transportation for north and southbound residents despite the lateness of the hour to guarantee that the people living in far-flung areas are brought safely back home.
Fun and merry making extended in the wee hours of the morning as street parties are held in the different night-out centers, a usual scene after the grand parade ended. Everybody walked as some central roads were closed to vehicles and taxis were hard to find.
Except for 12 snatching incidents recorded, the Cebu City Police reported no significant untoward incidents happened and gave their overall assessment as generally peaceful and orderly. (PIA-Cebu)