THE DAVAO Police Regional Office recorded a 16 percent decrease in eight focus crimes from January to date compared to the same period last year.
The eight focus crimes are murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, motorcycle carnapping and vehicle.
According to police data, the number of focus crimes recorded this year was 650, or 126 incidents fewer than the 776 cases in 2022.
Major Catherine Dela Rey, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office XI, said the decrease in criminal cases could be attributed to police visibility, law enforcement operations, random checkpoints, and various crime-prevention initiatives like Oplan Kilos and others.
“Crime that has decreased significantly based on the record is the crime of rape,“ she said, adding they registered 232 incidents this year compared to 293 last year.
“But overall, in the eight focus crimes, rape is still the highest perpetrated crime compared to 104 murder cases, so it is still alarming,” she added.
The DCPO launched Oplan Kilos a campaign to solicit the help of the community into becoming more proactive and vigilant. The campaign focuses on prevention, intervention, and aftercare.
“This activity is not only with policemen but in partnership with other agencies, local government units and other stakeholders,” she further said.
Fugitive arrested
In related news, a fugitive was arrested in a law enforcement operation in Sarphil Village, Agdao, at around 10 a.m. on Monday, July 31.
Captain Hazel Tuazon, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson, identified him as Charles, 49, married, a carpenter and a resident of Toril District.
TIMES is withholding his real name and address due to the sensitivity of the offense.
Tuazon said Bardago has a standing warrant for one count of qualified statutory rape under Par. 1(d) of Article 266-A in relation to Art.266-B, 1 count of acts of lasciviousness, 12 counts of qualified sexual assault, 58 counts of lasciviousness conduct under Sec. (b) of R.A. 7610.
One of his victims was his daughter.
The warrant was issued by Zarah Aguisando-Silvosa, acting presiding judge of Eleventh Judicial Region, Branch 33, RTC Davao City, Davao Region, on July 4, 2023.
The suspect is under the custody of Eden Police Station.
