Benguet reports reduced crime rate

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- The province remains to be peaceful with an observed decrease in crime rate of focused crimes except for carnapping incidence.

Police Provincial Deputy Superintendent Luisito Meris reported during the recent Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting from January to October 2018, the average crime rate decreased by 34 percent compared to the same period last year.

Focused crime rates are murder, homicide, rape, physical injuries, carnapping of motor cars, carnapping of motor vehicles, robbery, and theft.

The reported decrease in focused crime rate are murder, 20 percent ; homicide, 20 percent; rape, 14 percent; physical injuries, 28 percent; carnapping of motor vehicle,70 percent; carnapping of motor cars remained stable; robbery, 39 percent; and theft seven percent.

Meris attributed the decrease in crime rate to the increase in police operation activities, increase in the latching of criminals, and good police community relations.

But he is not discounting the possibility the lowering of crimes may also be attributed to better and improved life of the people. Hence, crimes committed for survival or economic reasons were minimized.

Governor Crescencio Pacalso is happy to note of the maintained peace and order in the province. This, he said, is a reflection and manifestation of the cooperation of all member agencies on

peace keeping efforts which he hopes will continue even during the election period.

Pacalso said, so far the province hasnever experienced any election-related violence and still remains the most peaceful.