EASTERN VISAYAS IS PEACEFUL - SORIA

Camp Ruperto K. Kangleon, Palo, Leyte, December 13, 2012  –  Eastern Visayas remains to be peaceful, orderly and ready for economic development.

“The peace and order situation in Eastern Visayas is generally peaceful and within manageable level”, Police Chief Superintendent ELMER RAGADIO SORIA, Eastern Visayas police regional director made the assessment during the Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (RLECC) conference held yesterday at the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) Matapat Hall.

SORIA added that this can be attributed to the intensified peace and security efforts by uniformed personnel on crime prevention and implementation of special laws supported by other law enforcement agencies, local government units and the community.

“Although crimes against persons and properties continue to occur, we were able to constrain these at the lowest level due to the crime prevention efforts being implemented by PRO8, other government agencies and strong community partnership in anti-criminality operations and implementation of pro-active security measures," he said.

SORIA informed that from January 1 to November 30 this year, the Total Crime Volume (TCV) in the region is recorded at 4,085 incidents, noting a 3,070 incidents or 43% lower compared to the same period last year which posted 7,155 incidents. 

“Of this figure, 2,431 are categorized as Index Crimes while 1,654 are categorized as Non-Index Crimes.  As compared to the same period last year, there is a decrease of 1,920 and 1,150 incidents in the Index and Non-Index Crimes, respectively,” he added.

Index crimes are those crimes punishable under the Revised Penal Code while Non-Index Crimes are those punishable for violations of special laws.

He further disclosed that of these crimes, 1,467 cases were promptly solved and 2,491 cases were cleared while other cases are under investigation.

“This translates to a Crime Solution Efficiency (CSE) of 35.91% and Crime Clearance Efficiency of 60.98%.  These figures are 15.04% and 25.05% higher as compared to the 20.87% and 35.93% posted for the same period last year, respectively.” he further averred.

           

SORIA further said that this significant decrease in the crime volume is due to the strict implementation of the Police Integrated Patrol System (PIPS) by police stations; maximized downloading of manpower and logistical resources; the active Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs); the rationalization of Pulis Nyo po sa Barangay and the deployment of new police recruits undergoing the Field Training Program (FTP) who augmented the needed manpower for police visibility in crime prone areas. 

            During the conference, the region’s top police official also disclosed that for the Yuletide Season, PRO8 will establish Police Assistance Desks and increase police visibility in areas where people converge.

“We also activated the Regional Task Group: Secured and Fair Elections (SAFE) and the Regional Special Operations Task Group to ensure a peaceful and orderly elections next year,” SORIA disclosed further.