A MONTH INTO ECQ: W. Visayas crimes drop by 63% but curfew violations breach 5,000 mark

By Jennifer P. Rendon

The enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) is doing wonders not just in flattening the curve in the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) but also to Western Visayas’ peace and order situation.

This was one of the highlights in the message of Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, Western Visayas police chief, when he addressed police personnel in the region via Facebook live as they marked the first month of the implementation of the ECQ.

The region’s top cop opened his assessment report by congratulating the PNP frontliners.

“I know that we are still in the middle of this battle confronting the unseen enemy but you have done your job very well. I hope that we could sustain our efforts in preventing the spread of COVID-19 until everything is back to normal,” he said.

As he implored them to take care of themselves, Pamupusan told police officers to “always expect the worst because we do not know what is in store for tomorrow, so let us always be ready.”

Since the region has tightened its guard relative to the ECQ implementation, Pamuspusan said it has remained peaceful and orderly.

He noted a dramatic decrease in the number of crime incidents by 63 percent.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 records showed that from 362 cases as of March 17 to April 16, 2019, crime incidents decreased by 133 cases for the same period this year.

From 234 cases from Feb. 16 to March 16, 2020, incidents went down to 106 cases from March 17 to April 16.

Aside from ECQ implementation, Pamuspusan also attributed the low crime incidence to the Enhanced Managing Police Operations (E-MPO) and the establishment of checkpoints.

“Indeed, staying at home will not only keep you safe from COVID-19 but it is also the best way to prevent crimes,” he said.

However, “what is slightly alarming however, is the continuous violation of the curfew hours,” he said.

As of April 20, PRO-6 collared 5,181 violators all over the region.

The number includes 5,068 persons who were warned and advised to go home while 57 were fined and 56 were arrested.

“We are no health experts here, but let me reiterate our call for you to heed to the quarantine guidelines we implement. In this manner, you are not only keeping yourselves and your families safe from danger of being infected but you are also helping our government in this war,” Pamuspusan said.

Aside from their peace and order efforts, Pamuspusan announced that they were able to help 3,220 families in the region through their “Adopt-a-Family Program: Kapwa ko, Sagot ko,” which ran from March 31 to April 16.

“Your policemen in PRO-6 are not just mere law enforcers, we are an organization that has a heart for the people,” he said.

Different police units and office have given assorted grocery packs to poor families to help them get by during the crisis even for just a week.

“This activity will continue so we could reach more families even in the farthest barangays in the hinterlands,” he said.

Pamuspusan also reported that the Team PNP’s Bayanihan Fund Challenge has already jumpstarted.

As of April 19, 2020, PRO-6 has around P8.7 million cash on hand which was voluntarily contributed by its own personnel.

The sum, which will be collected in this initiative, will be turned over to the national treasury.

“It will be added to the government’s Special Amelioration Program that will benefit the poorest of the poor in our communities,” he said.

In conclusion, Pamuspusan told the public that the PNP is one with them during this crisis.

“Together with the LGUs and other government agencies, we will ensure that no one will be left behind because together we are stronger,” he said.