Safer Cities violations hit 10,952 in WV

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Close to 11,000 violations were recorded in Western Visayas during intensified checkpoint and police visibility efforts under the Safer Cities initiative of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police.

The Police Regional Office 6 logged a total of 10,952 violations from April 6 to April 30, 2026.

Most of the violators, or around 7,479, were warned and released.

On the other hand, 3,431 violators were fined.

Brig. Gen. Josefino Ligan, Western Visayas police chief, said the most common violations involved drinking and smoking in public places, with 3,331 cases recorded.

There were 621 individuals caught roaming in public without shirts, while 134 violations involved using karaoke beyond the allowed time.

The other 5,534 involved other ordinance violations.

Ligan said the Safer Cities campaign has resulted in a significant reduction in focus crimes in the region.

He acknowledged that compared with other regions, Western Visayas recorded fewer violators.

“We have caught more than 700 on a daily basis. Mas disiplinado ang mga tao dito,” he said.

For April, PRO-6 recorded 112 cases involving index crimes, or crimes against persons and property.

The number was 25.83% lower than March’s 151 index crimes.

On the other hand, April’s eight focus crimes — murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, carnapping of motor vehicles, and motorcycle theft — also decreased to 110 from the previous month’s 150 cases.

Launched on April 6, the Safer Cities initiative aims to reduce urban crime through increased police visibility, strict enforcement of local ordinances, and community-based security.