Bacolod crime rate rises nearly 12% in 2025

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The Bacolod City Police Office recorded an 11.77% increase in total crime incidents in 2025, with cases rising by 149 from 1,265 in 2024 to 1,414 last year.

Index crimes, which cover offenses against persons and property, increased by seven cases, or 3.76%, from 186 incidents in 2024 to 193 in 2025.

Among the eight focus crimes, theft remained the most prevalent with 62 cases, followed by robbery with 29 cases, homicide with 13 cases, and physical injury with 11 cases.

Authorities also recorded one case each of motor vehicle carnapping and cybercrime.

Murder cases declined by 10, from 36 in 2024 to 26 in 2025, while rape cases dropped to 40 from 52 cases the previous year.

Police logged six cases of motorcycle carnapping during the period.

BCPO Director Police Col. Joeresty Coronica said during a press briefing Wednesday that the overall rise in crime was largely due to intensified police-initiated operations against illegal activities.

Non-index crimes increased by 185 cases, or 25.74%, from 719 in 2024 to 904 in 2025.

Operations against special law violators also rose by 175 cases, or 30.27%, from 578 to 753 cases.

These involved violations related to illegal possession of bladed weapons, illegal cockfighting and gambling, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, illegal drugs, Commission on Elections gun ban violations, intellectual property code offenses, illegal fishing, and breaches of the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act.

Coronica directed station commanders to focus on addressing key public safety concerns, particularly robbery incidents, which increased over the past year.

“There are opportunists, especially when there’s an influx of people. When there is economic activity, crime thrives,” he said.

Coronica said many theft cases involved shoplifting incidents in shopping malls.

“We’re highlighting the increase in theft and robbery cases so we can immediately address these,” he said.

Crime clearance efficiency declined by 1.95 percentage points, from 99.76% to 97.81%, indicating cases where suspects were identified and charges filed but arrests were not made.

Crime solution efficiency slightly improved to 90.31% from 90.28%, reflecting cases where suspects were arrested and charges were filed.