Cardiño’s first 100 days cut crime 11.83%

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Police Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño, director of the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR), marked his first 100 days in office with intensified operations against illegal drugs and cigarette smuggling that resulted in seizures valued at about PHP 211.5 million and an 11.83% decline in crime across the region.

Based on PRO-NIR’s comparative crime statistics, total crime incidents decreased by 296, from 2,502 recorded from Jan. 27 to May 7, 2026, to 2,206 from May 8 to Aug. 16, 2026.

More significantly, index crimes, or crimes against persons or property, decreased by 19.19%, from 297 to 240 incidents, driven by reductions in homicide, murder, physical injury, motorcycle carnapping, and theft.

The eight focus crimes likewise decreased by 19.59%, from 296 to 238 incidents.

Murder declined by 24.39%, homicide by 46.34%, physical injury by 38.24%, theft by 7.02%, and motorcycle carnapping by 38.46%.

The peace and order indicator declined by 5.48%, or 105 incidents, from 1,917 to 1,812 incidents.

The public safety indicator also recorded a substantial 32.65% reduction, equivalent to 191 fewer incidents, driven by reductions in damage to property, physical injury, and homicide arising from vehicular incidents.

Despite the positive indicators, PRO-NIR acknowledged that challenges remain, citing a 6.82% increase in rape incidents and a 13.64% rise in robbery.

The increases highlighted the need for sustained prevention efforts, police visibility, focused investigations, and community-based interventions, according to PRO-NIR.

Cardiño said the figures are not simply statistics but indicators that help the organization identify what is working, where police interventions must be sustained, and where greater effort is still needed.

In the campaign against illegal drugs, the regional office conducted 761 operations, resulting in the arrest of 822 persons and the confiscation of 19,975.81 grams of shabu and 1,422 grams of marijuana, with an estimated value of PHP 136 million.

The campaign against cigarette smuggling also yielded significant results, with 526 operations conducted, 25 persons arrested, and confiscated cigarettes valued at approximately PHP 75,474,610.

The intensified campaign against loose firearms resulted in 503 operations, including the implementation of 28 search warrants.

The operations resulted in 255 firearms being confiscated, 264 unlicensed firearms being surrendered, and 92 individuals being arrested.

Meanwhile, police arrested 1,161 wanted persons, consisting of 269 most wanted persons and 892 other wanted individuals.

PRO-NIR also conducted 362 anti-illegal gambling operations, resulting in 808 arrests and the confiscation of PHP 152,935 in gambling-related proceeds.

At the community level, PRO-NIR sustained the enforcement of local ordinances, recording 81,137 operations involving violators, with 31,433 fined and 49,704 warned.

Cardiño emphasized that the first 100 days are not a finish line but a foundation.

He said the favorable crime trends and operational accomplishments provide measurable indicators of progress, but PRO-NIR remains committed to addressing emerging threats, improving investigative outcomes, sustaining police visibility, and making frontline services more responsive.

A significant milestone during his tenure was the launch of the SAFE NIR Dial 911 Program on June 4, establishing a more direct and accessible link between the public and the police.

From its launch through Aug. 16, the program received 364 calls, resulting in the arrest of 53 individuals.

PRO-NIR said the figures reflected growing public awareness of 911 as an avenue for seeking police assistance and reporting incidents while demonstrating the regional office’s commitment to providing timely and responsive intervention when communities call for help.

SAFE NIR, which stands for Seen, Appreciated, Felt, and Extraordinary, is Cardiño’s flagship initiative designed to make police assistance more accessible, responsive, and connected to the communities it serves.

The program was introduced after Cardiño assumed leadership of PRO-NIR on May 8 and has since been rolled out across parts of the region as an emergency-response and community-policing initiative.

Cardiño also strengthened the organization by investing in personnel development, specialized training, technology and information and communications technology modernization, body-worn cameras, logistics, organizational reforms, ISO 9001 preparation, and morale and wellness initiatives.

These efforts were directed toward building a more capable, professional, accountable, and operationally ready police organization.

PRO-NIR oversees police offices in Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, and the highly urbanized Bacolod City as the police organization continues building its institutional capacity in the reestablished Negros Island Region.

As the NIR continues to strengthen its institutions as a relatively new region, Cardiño vowed to pursue a police service that is decisive in confronting criminality, responsive to emergencies, accountable in its actions, and connected to the communities it serves.

“The first 100 days therefore mark more than a milestone. They mark the beginning of a continuing commitment to build a safer, stronger, and more responsive NIR. And at the heart of that commitment is a simple promise: “When the people call, we respond,” he said.

Cardiño was installed as PRO-NIR director on May 8, succeeding Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay.