Police to boost drive vs focus crimes

21 September 2022

The Police Regional Office (PRO) XI vowed to intensify its security campaign against focus crimes

The focus crimes are theft, rape, robbery, physical injury, murder, homicide, carnapping of motorcycle, and carnapping of motor vehicle.

From January 2 to September 17 of this year, a total of 1,006 incidents of the eight focus crimes were reported in the Davao Region. Of these, 983 cases were already filed in court, 551 arrests were made, and 23 remain unsolved.

Police regional director PBGen Benjamin Silo, during the PRO XI Press Conference at the Camp Sgt. Quintin M. Merecido on Wednesday, said police forces were able to clear 97.71 percent of the reported cases regionwide not only due to the competence of police investigators but also the active participation of civilians.

“We are very thankful na ‘yong mga kababayan natin gising at nakikipagtulungan sa ating mga kapulisyahan para maresolba ‘yong mga krimen na nangyayari sa Davao Region (We are very thankful that our fellow citizens are aware and they coordinate with our police to resolve the crimes reported in Davao Region),” Silo said.

Silo said that based on statistics, the number of focus crimes increases during “ber” months. He said that during this period (September to December), the PRO will strengthen all security measures and “intensify police visibility” to curb the expected rise of criminal activities in the region.  

Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director PLt. Col. Alberto Lupaz said that of the eight focus crimes, theft remains on top in the city.

He said that from July to September 15 of this year, a total of 30 theft cases were recorded, almost double the 16 cases recorded during the same period last year. 

Lupaz said the DCPO has accomplished a lot in terms of curbing theft cases after it reinstated Oplan R.A.T. Tugis (Robbery/Hold-up, Akyat Bahay and Theft).

He added that the relaunching of Oplan Kalinaw will also aid in curbing the increase of criminal activity in the coming months.

Out of the more than 500 individuals profiled during the launching of Oplan Kalinaw in Barangay Centro Agdao last September 16, Lupaz said the DCPO had apprehended eight wanted persons and impounded five unregistered vehicles. 

“Overall, the relaunching of Oplan Kalinaw is very successful and we are currently studying the next location,” he said.

The DCPO is planning to hold the second Oplan Kalinaw community outreach mission in Barangay 76-A, Bucana at the end of this month. CIO