• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A 30.9 percent reduction in total crime incidents was recorded by the police in Negros and Siquijor in October 2026, data of the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) on Tuesday, Nov. 3 showed.
Cases dropped to 595 from 862 during the same month last year or 267 fewer incidents.
The decline was largely driven by a 69.92 percent reduction in public safety indicator incidents, which fell from 399 in October 2025 to 120 this year.
Vehicular incidents accounted for most of the decrease, dropping by 69.77 percent from 397 to 120 cases.
PRO-NIR also reported a 10.13 percent decrease in index crime volume, from 79 to 71 cases, while the eight focus crimes declined by 7.79 percent, from 77 to 71 incidents.
Among the reported offenses, physical injury cases posted the biggest reduction at 87.50 percent, dropping from 16 to two incidents. Rape cases also decreased by 44.44 percent, from 18 to 10 cases.
PRO-NIR attributed the improvement to strengthened police visibility, proactive patrols, intensified operations in crime-prone areas, prompt response to incidents, and closer coordination with local government units, partner agencies, and communities.
It also emphasized the importance of intelligence gathering, crime prevention, strengthened investigations, and case build-up to ensure that offenders are held accountable.
PRO-NIR Director Brig. Gen. Rudecindo Reales said police personnel are expected to sustain police visibility, back-to-basics policing, and proactive crime prevention efforts to ensure the safety of Negrenses and promptly address reported incidents.
Reales stressed that the goal is not only to reduce crime statistics, but also to protect lives and property through disciplined, responsive, and accountable police service. | GPB
