DILG notes increase in crime incidents following easing of restrictions

ANILA---The number of crime incidents in the country has increased following the easing of quarantine status amid the continuous decrease in coronavirus disease (Covid19) cases, Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said on Monday, April 4, 2022.

MAño said the 29,798 crime incidents recorded in March was a more than five percent increase from the 28,214 incidents recorded in February, when regions in the country were still under Alert Level 2 and 3.

He was referring to index crimes or offenses considered serious in nature with sufficient frequency and regularity, including murder, homicide, rape, robbery, carnapping, physical injuries, and eight other special complex crimes.

Año said 995 cases of theft were recorded in March from 921 in February.

From 292 murder cases recorded in February, the number went up to 328 in March.

It was only in March when some parts of the country were downgraded to Alert Level 1, the lowest quarantine status where all restrictions, including venue capacity for businesses, transportation, and travel, are lifted but adherence to minimum health protocols are still required.

Año reminded the public to be extra careful when going outside, noting that criminals have also been taking advantage of the eased quarantine protocol s.

In a press conference, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Dionardo Carlos said they have launched the “Ligtas SumVac (Summer Vacation) 2022” to ensure the conduct of crime prevention operations through beefed-up police deployment during the summer season.

“We are now going to the new normal but ‘yung implementation natin diyan ay meron pa rin tayong pagsunod sa minimum health standard protocol. Pagdating naman doon sa convergence, yan mga public places, mga terminals, definitely na-establish na natin yung police assistance desks or police assistance centers para may presence kaagad ng pulis so we can immediately patrol, react kung kailangan,” he said.

He also assured the conduct of security operations during campaign rallies.

“Ang sa amin ay prevention. If we are not being involved, we make sure that we patrol the area just to make sure na hindi magkaroon ng krimen, problema sa public health and mabantayan natin ‘yung mga kandidato especially mga maiinit na pagtutunggali ng ating mga kandidato sa darating na eleksyon,” Carlos added.

(Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/ SunStar Philippines)