Pagadian City total crime volume increases 41.16%, crime solution increases 101% with crime cleared rating of 294.4%

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (Dec. 25, 2014-MPF News) --The total crime volume in Pagadian City increased to 41.16 percent but the Crime Solution Efficiency (CSE) also increased by 101 percent compared to last year 2013 in the same period from January to November of this year 2014 with Crime Cleared Efficiency Rating (CCER) of 294.4 percent, city police statistics report said.

Pagadian City Chief of Police Supt. Glenn Dulawan said the crime volume for the period of January 1 to November 30, 2014 registered to 2,274 which is  higher than 2013 with a total of 1,338 crime incidents or an increase by 936 crime incidents or 41.16 percent of crime volume.

Dulawan said the huge increase of crime volume was experienced nationwide in the month of August due to the change of system entry of reported incidents in the police blotter including entries for record purposes.

Dulawan also said that the index crime increased to 1,112 in 2014 from 740 in 2013 with an increase of 372 crime incidents of 33.45 percent while in non-index crime it registered at 1,162 in 2014 compared to 598 crime incidents in 2013 or an increase of 564 or 48.53 percent crime incidents.

He further said Pagadian City has the average monthly crime rate (AMCR) of 90.91 in 2014 compared to 60.37 in 2013 which registered at 63.37 crime incidents per 100,00 population or an increase of 30.54 crime incident or 34 percent.

However Dulawan also explained that even though there is an increase of crime volume, the City Police Station has tremendously increased their accomplishments in the CSE for the period of January 1 to November 30, 2014 which registered at 24.45 percent, higher than that of the same period in 2013 which registered at 12.18 percent, an increase of 12.27 or 101 percent with CCER registered to 30.65 percent in 2014, which is also higher than that of the same period in 2013 which registered at 7.77 percent, an increase of 22.88 of 299.4 percent rating.

He added that the crime statistics shows the type of offense recorded: physical injuries have 491 incidents and 197 of them were resulting from vehicular accidents or 40 percent of the total physical injury incidents. To counter these, a half-day seminar was conducted every Friday to any violators of traffic rules and regulations, he said.

Homicide cases recorded went up to 11 this year from 3 in 2013 with the increase of 8 or 72.72%; Murder recorded 67 from 51 or increase by 16 or 23.88%; Rape is 37 from 24 with increase by 13 or 35.13%; Robbery 179 from 173 an increase by 6 of 3.35%; Theft 271 from 183 increased by 88 or 32.47%; Cattle Rustling 2 from 2; Carnapping 54 from 60 a decrease of 6 or 10%.

Records show that the crime rate decreased during the last quarter of this year. It was also learned that most crimes were committed during rush hours between 7-9 a.m. and 3-5 p.m. as indicated in the crime clock in the 3^rd quarter of this year 2014, Dulawan disclosed.

He pointed out that Pagadian City is generally peaceful and normal although occasionally, it is spoiled by the incidents that are isolated and essentially manageable. The contributing factors to the occurrence of these crimes are the growing population as against the number of personnel and considering that Pagadian City as the Capital City of Zamboanga del Sur and at the same time the Regional Center of Region IX. Consequently, several financial and business establishments have been established and the number of population has further increased with the influx of people to the city such as job seekers and business people, including tourists and visitors/vacationers.

Illegal Drugs

Although illegal drug trafficking in the city was greatly reduced due to the aggressive operational and holistic approach, this station never lie low in its campaign in order that illegal drug traffic will not proliferate again. As evidence, some apprehended illegal drug users in the city revealed that the amount of the one small sachet of shabu rises up to five hundred pesos (Php500.00) as compared to other places which is two hundred (Php200.00) and they can hardly buy it for personal consumption in the city and were able only to buy from other places more specifically in Ozamis City and Lanao del Sur by ordering thru cellular phone and delivered by a courier. This station, in coordination with the PDEA, was also able to arrest some couriers of shabu from Lanao Sur thru buy-bust operation and eventually cases were filed in court.

Local Communist Movement (LCM)

Dulawan reported that Pagadian City remains insurgent-free and no insurgency problems recorded in the office file. However, the LCM was sighted passing at the border of Lison Valley going to the municipalities of Tigbao and Midsalip, ZDS. In support to the relentless Internal Security Operation activities conducted by the PPSC, RPSB9 and AFP counterparts, this station sustained the conduct of school-based activities, Pulong-pulong, Symposia, Barangay Tanod/BPAT’s Training and performed all acts necessary to prevent and suppress violence engendered by the insurgents.

Criminal Gangs

Pagadian City is confronted by Transitory Criminal elements coming from the neighboring provinces and cities.

Lawless Elements

Many crimes committed in the city were perpetrated by transitory criminal elements coming from the neighboring provinces and cities. Because of this, this station implemented the anti-criminality campaign plan - “Pulis in the Barangay” and the deployment of the motorcycle-riding policemen in strategic locations and crime-prone areas in the city, that will go against these transitory criminal elements operating in Pagadian Police's area of responsibility. Further, the following have been and are being done to fight lawlessness: intensifying police visibility patrols, conducting of the spot checkpoints as well as OPLAN BAKAL operations, aggressively implementing the “No Plate No Travel policy” in coordination with LTO, HPG, Pagadian City Traffic Office, intelligence monitoring, strengthening coordination and collaboration with AFP counterparts and other law enforcement agencies. (By JONG D. CADION-Mindanao Pagadian Frontline)