FOCUS CRIMES IN CENTRAL LUZON DROP BY 14.6%

BY KEVIN GALANG 

CAMP OLIVAS, City of San Fernando, Pampanga — The Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) reported that crime incidents across Central Luzon declined by 14.6 percent in the first 10 days of October.

This as the regional police sustained its intensified patrols, focused operations and other preventive measures.

PRO3 data showed that eight focus crimes fell to 70 incidents from October 1 to 10, compared with 82 cases recorded from September 21 to 30, marking a decrease of 12 incidents.

The PRO3 attributed the decline to sustained police visibility, strategic deployment of personnel, intelligence-driven operations and strengthened coordination in crime prevention and emergency response.

The regional police office continues to implement the JBM Patrol System to increase police presence in areas requiring closer monitoring, alongside operations targeting wanted persons, illegal drugs, loose firearms and other peace and order concerns.

It also intensified the Accounting and Disposition of Firearms with Expired Registration (ADFER), with 913 firearms accounted for from October 1 to 10.

The initiative aims to minimize the risk of firearms being lost, illegally transferred or used in criminal activities.

According to PRO3 director Brig. Gen. Jess B. Mendez, the drop reflected the importance of combining various crime prevention strategies while stressing the need to sustain police efforts.

“Preventing crie requires more than one approach. Visible policing, intelligence work, focused operations, firearms accounting, and timely response have to work together,” Mendez said.

“The decrease is encouraging, but the more important task is to sustain the effort and remain responsive to what is happening on the ground,” he added.

The PRO3 also cited Unified 911 as a key component of its emergency response system, allowing the public to reach police and other emergency services through a faster, more coordinated channel.

Mendez said the JBM Patrol System, focused operations, ADFER, and Unified 911 complement one another in strengthening crime prevention and improving response to emergencies.

He said the initiatives support the PNP Focused Agenda of chief PNP Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., particularly its thrusts on crime prevention, strengthened law enforcement, risk management and responsive police service.

Mendez said the PRO3 would continue monitoring crime trends and adjusting police deployment and operations based on developments on the ground to maintain peace and order and ensure safer communities throughout Central Luzon.