Talisay police chief: Crime rate still low
Talisay City police chief Superintendent Jason Villamater has denied reports that the crime volume in the city is rising.
Villamater said the statistics show that it has even decreased this year compared to the same period last year.
He issued the denial after the Cebu Provincial Police Office released information that theft and robbery cases in Talisay City are increasing.
Based on records, there were 213 cases of theft and 108 robberies last year. The figures decreased this year to 110 and 70 cases, respectively.
According to Villamater, there were 589 index crimes from January to December last year.
Since January this year, they have only recorded 325 index crimes or those crimes against person and property such as murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, and carnapping.
Villamater, however, admitted that the number of crimes in September is expected because of the advent of Christmas season and the city’s annual fiesta celebration.
"Mas mataas last year compared this year. Nagkataon lang na increasing sa month of September kasi yan ang trending," he said.
Despite the increase in the crime volume last September, Villamater is confident that the figure will still be lower compared last year.
He observed that theft and robbery cases usually happened in Barangays Tabunok and Dumlog. He said that they are also up to the challenge of CPPO to step up in the fight against criminalities or they will all face relief.
Villamater said they are not affected by the threat, instead they have maintained their resolve to serve the public better. He said they are determined to reduce the crime volume further by implementing the Motorcycle Anti-Street Crime Operatives (MASCO).
He said seven personnel previously assigned at the now defunct drug enforcement unit were reassigned to MASCO.
"They go around the city for police visibility at nagpapatrol," Villamater said.
He said these policemen are using personal vehicles in patrolling because of their limited resources. Aside from MASCO, they would also enhance beat patrol.