Improved technical and tactical proficiency of police personnel appears to have contributed to a combined 39 percent reduction in rape and robbery incidents in 2024, the Catanduanes Provincial Police Office annual accomplishment report indicated.
In his report, PNP Provincial Director PCol. Edward D. Quijano disclosed that rape cases fell to just 31 in 2024, a drop of 15 compared to the 2023 figure of 46 incidents, or a significant reduction of 32 percent.
On the other hand, robbery cases reported to the police declined by more half from 23 in 2023 to just 11 incidents last year.
The number of incidents involving physical injury also decreased to just 11, a 42-percent decrease compared to 19 in the previous year, the report added.
While murder cases stood at three each for the previous two years, two homicides were recorded last year, from zero in 2023, with a similar increase noted for carnapping of motor vehicles.
The unlawful taking of motorcycles nearly tripled from just three (3) in 2023 to eight cases last year, while constituents reported a total of 43 incidents of theft, up by 26 percent from 34 in 2023.
However, PCol. Quijano underscored, effective and efficient police visibility and law enforcement operations helped bring about a 13 percent reduction in index or focus crimes, from 128 in 2023 to 111 last year.
Non-index crimes also dropped by nearly eight percent, from 344 to 317, although the same statistics saw nearly identical but slight dips in Crime Clearance Efficiency and Crime Solution Efficiency, at 94.69 percent and 82/36 percent, respectively.
The Catanduanes police director said the island province’s stable internal peace and security has been achieved with the help of the PNP’s Revitalized-Pulis Sa Barangay (R-PSB), which neutralized two insurgents and enabled the surrender, confiscation and/or recovery of three firearms and 74 pieces of ammunition in 2024.
The R-PSB program seeks to bridge the community and the government in terms of delivery of basic services, strengthen barangay-based institutions, mobilize and organize barangay peacekeeping forces, and stabilize the peace and order situation in the locality.
In the campaign against illegal drugs, the Catanduanes police conducted 24 operations last year, resulting in 27 arrests, with two-thirds of them from Virac, and the confiscation of 6.52 grams of marijuana as well as 187.7679 grams of shabu, with a total street value of P1.27 million.
Cases were also filed against 141 persons nabbed in anti-illegal gambling operations that also netted a total of P60,248 in confiscated bets.
Forty-nine (49) suspected illegal fishers were apprehended in 20 operations, with 11 of them conducted by elements of the Bato and Caramoran police stations.
In the effort to preserve remaining forestlands and wetlands, the local police seized 2,152 board feet of undocumented lumber, three chainsaws and 150 pieces of nipa shingles in 23 operations, with cases filed against 44 individuals.
The campaign against loose firearms and “Oplan Katok” also bore fruit, with the 48 operations leading to the arrest of two persons as well as the confiscation of two firearms, surrender of eight more guns and three explosives. Two more firearms were recovered in separate incidents while 38 more were turned in by their owners for safekeeping pending the renewal of their firearm licenses.
A total of 251 wanted persons were also collared by the police, including 16 Regional Most Wanted Persons, 17 Provincial MWPs and 11 Municipal MWPs.
Over 70,000 people were warned against drinking in public places, smoking, going around half-naked, urinating in public, obstruction, curfew violation, vandalism, and using karaoke beyond the allowed time in violation of municipal ordinances while 6,535 motorists were fined a total of P3,392,074.
Among the other significant accomplishments of the Catanduanes police were increased police visibility, foot and mobile patrols, checkpoints, Oplan Bakal Sita, Red Teaming inspections, provision of security to VIPs, disaster response, and Ligtas Paskuhan where the police confiscated 128 improvised cannons or “boga.”
Aside from the conduct of anti-crime activities in the communities, the CATPPO also implemented various programs such as the illegal drug demand reduction, markmanship training, Recovery and Wellness Program, Community Assistance Program, Community Safety and Awareness Protection Program, and Project TANGLAW of PRO5, with 40 medals and 12,484 commendations given to deserving personnel and stakeholders.
In its Internal Cleansing Policy, the provincial police suspended six officers, demoted two and reprimided seven others, with four dismissed from the service.
PD Quijano described as best practices the Project CAKE that recognized birthday celebrants, the Gulayan sa Kampo, Lecture 101 series, Project GO GREEN, and “Ronda sa Banggi, Kaiba Nyo Kami,”
The CATPPO expressed its commitment to strengthening the linkages between the PNP and its stakeholders, promoting the non-traditional system of engaging the public in an active partnership to achieve lasting peace and sustainable development.
It likewise vowed to ensure that the forthcoming 2025 National and Local Election will be secured, accurate and fair as well as ensure the safety of local and foreign tourists in the upcoming summer months.