The crime rate in the region slightly declined in the first semester this year compared to the same period in 2017, data from the Police Regional Office XI revealed.
Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales said that based on their record, there were 33 crime incidents for every 100,000 people in the region. That’s a slight dip from the 35 incidents per 100,000 people in 2017.
“The crime rate of Region XI is one of the lowest crime rates in the country compared to different police regional offices,” he added.
At the same time, the regional director said they were also able to increase the crime solution efficiency, a metric used by the police when they arrest and file a case against the suspects.
He said from 72.83% in 2017, the rate improved to 73.6% this year. He attributed the cooperation of the community in helping solve the cases by giving information on the identities of the suspects.
The regional police director said Davaoeños have been very helpful in giving information on the social media page of the police and the PRO XI hotline. The CCTVs of the Public Security and Safety Command Center has also been instrumental in pinpointing the perpetrators.
Morales led the celebration of the 24th National Crime Prevention Week from Sept. 1 to 7 in yesterday’s flag-raising ceremony held at the City Hall Drive. The celebration is mandated by Presidential Proclamation 461 signed in 1994.
“The fight against criminality is an unending war of our noble profession as policemen,” he said in his speech. “Yet, with the vibrant spirit and allegiance of Filipino’s unsung heroes of today’s generation, no atrocities or criminal elements could depict the highest degree of awareness and concern of the people.”
A Social Weather Stations survey from March 23 to 27 this year revealed that 1.5 families have had experience with criminal elements. The common crimes included robbery, burglary, car theft, carnapping, and physical violence within the previous six months from the time of the survey.
“As part of the PNP’s campaign on anti-criminality, this office will continue to tap our stakeholders, especially the LGU, academe, and other law enforcement forces to curtail and suppress the lawlessness and criminality,” he added.
Nat’l ID system eyed
to aid investigations
Meanwhile, Morales said that the national ID system will have a big impact on crime prevention, “especially that we can have a database of the Filipino citizens for the purpose of investigations.”
“From this, our investigators can use such to identify suspects, victims, and even witnesses that will pave way for a better investigation,” Morales said yesterday during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City.
Meanwhile, he assured that the National ID System will never be used to invade the privacy of citizens.
“This can also be used to locate missing persons,” Morales said.
The National ID system was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte on Aug. 6 of this year.
Morales also emphasized the advancement of the newly established regional Crime Laboratory which is capable of forensic examination involving electronic data, like those from cell phones, digital cameras, CCTV, among others.
Currently, the laboratory has the fingerprint identification system and the data is collated by the laboratory. These include data from the NBI or police clearances applications.
“These data are stored in the database for future reference so that it may be the standard for comparison later, as necessary,” Morales added.
