Crime Incidents in Iloilo Drop 31% Before Elections

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Crime incidents in Iloilo province dropped significantly a week before the national and local elections.

Data from the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) showed a 31.17 percent decrease in overall crime cases.

From May 5 to 11, IPPO recorded 106 incidents, down from 154 the previous week, April 28 to May 4.

Both the Peace and Order Indicator (POI) and Public Safety Indicator (PSI) registered notable declines.

The POI, which covers index and non-index crimes, showed a 51.67 percent drop.

The eight focus crimes—murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, kidnapping, and carnapping/motornapping—decreased by 55.54 percent.

These crimes fell to five cases from 11.

The PSI, which primarily involves traffic-related incidents, posted an 18.9 percent decline.

There were 77 cases reported from May 5 to 11, compared to 94 the previous week.

Colonel Roland Bulalacao, IPPO officer-in-charge, credited the drop in crime to the dedication of police officers and their collaboration with the Ilonggo community.

Following the peaceful elections, Bulalacao stressed the need to maintain momentum in crime prevention efforts.

He called on unit commanders to boost monitoring and increase police visibility throughout the province.

“We must build on this progress to ensure that the peace and order we have established are maintained and further improved,” Bulalacao said.

“We deeply appreciate the trust and cooperation extended by the Iloilo community,” he added.

Bulalacao said IPPO remains committed to public safety and will continue implementing proactive crime-prevention measures to build a safer, drug-free, and more progressive province.