BAGUIO CITY- Crime rates have decreased and 24 drug-affected barangays are on the process of being delisted, the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) reported during the 3rd quarter Peace and Order Council meeting last week at City Hall.
A 38.21% crime volume decrease was noted with 1943 crimes committed from January to August 2016, as compared to 3145 in January to August 2015. A spike in crimes in February was pointed out due to activities of the annually celebrated Panagbenga.
The lowering of the crime rate was attributed to police visibility, continuous coordination with barangay officials, all police substations and lambat-sibat activities, it was noted from the BCPO report.
In cases of Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL), those caught were referred to their respective barangays, to the CSWDO, to school guidance counselors; or received by their parents or guardians, or ferried home; rendered community service; and paid the violation dues or admitted to counseling.
Earlier, all 128 barangays were pronounced drug affected. Twenty-four (24): Kabayanihan, Campo Filipino, Lourdes Proper, San Roque Village, Quezon Hill proper, Guisad Surong, Guisad Central, Camdas, East and West Quirino Hill, Pinsao Pilot Project, Holy Ghost Proper, Upper Gen. Luna, Country Club Village, Apugan-Loakan, Happy Hallow, Upper Dagsian, Imelda Marcos, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Aurora Hill Proper, AZCKO, Lower Gen. Luna, Happy Homes and ABCR, are now undergoing procedures for clearing or delisting per the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). Certifications from the barangay and Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) are needed for the process, it was known.
As to BCPO reports confirmed by City Director George Daskeo, more than a thousand drug pushers and users surrendered, or were arrested, with four killed in legitimate police operations. Other killings are being investigated, Daskeo said. Eight of his personnel were also relieved as part of “internal cleansing.”
In a PDEA report, information officer Joseph Calulut said shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) and marijuana (cannabis sativa) remain the most used by nightspot partygoers as recreational illegal drugs. There are no illicit chemical diversion, but public and private offices, schools and pharmacies are constantly monitored.
PDEA Director Gil Castro confirmed these, as with the accidental discoveries of cannabis being grown in pots, joint operations with the BCPO where drug personalities including foreigners were arrested, and the confiscation of illegal drugs.
As to jail space needs, it was known that the number of male and female inmates ballooned due to drug-related arrests, though still manageable according to the jail authorities. Mayor Mauricio Domogan intimated that Shalom House may be utilized for non-violent cases upon coordination with the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).
Heinous crimes committed in the city in recent months are all being monitored and regularly reported, Daskeo assured the mayor.
The meeting was attended by the mayor, BCPO authorities, Councilors Mike Lawana, representatives of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), City Prosecutor’s Office, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Philippine Information Agency, PDEA, Highway Patrol Group (CHPG) and CSWDO.
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