Negros Occidental logs fewer crimes in 7 months

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) reported a 20.07% drop in crimes from January to July this year.

From Jan. 1 to July 31, a total of 1,987 incidents were recorded, down by 499 from the 2,486 cases logged in the same period last year.

The peace and order indicator also declined by 19.77%, from 1,922 cases in 2024 to 1,542 in 2025.

This indicator covers offenses such as the eight focus crimes — crimes against persons and property — which fell by 26.96%, from 319 last year to 233 this year, a decrease of 86 cases.

Rape topped the list with 72 incidents, down from 94 last year.

Murder followed with 70 cases, a drop from 85 in 2024.

Theft logged 32 cases, down from 49; homicide slightly dipped from 27 to 26 cases; physical injury dropped from 33 to 12 cases; and robbery fell from 26 to 11 incidents.

No carnapping of motor vehicles was reported this year compared to one case last year, while motorcycle carnapping increased from four to 10 cases.

In a press briefing Wednesday, Police Col. Rainerio De Chavez, Nocppo director, credited the decrease to successful operations against wanted persons, illegal drugs, illegal gambling, and loose firearms.

“Kapag mataas ang arrest, kakaunti ang gagawa ng krimen,” he said.

From January to July, the provincial police confiscated PHP29.8 million worth of illegal drugs and arrested 807 drug suspects in 645 anti-drug operations.

This resulted in the seizure of 4,379.9058 grams of shabu valued at PHP29.7 million and 154.499 grams of marijuana worth PHP18,539.88.

The campaign against wanted persons led to the arrest of 1,550 individuals, including 159 most wanted and 1,391 other wanted persons.

For anti-illegal gambling, 728 operations resulted in 1,846 arrests and the recovery of PHP250,679.30 in bet money.

In the drive against loose firearms, 161 operations led to 155 arrests, with 179 firearms confiscated and 209 surrendered, deposited, or abandoned.

De Chavez emphasized the importance of public cooperation in reporting crimes and illegal activities and noted that strategic planning has strengthened checkpoint and law enforcement operations.