Bicol cops’ crime solution up by 79%

THE Police Regional Office 5 (PRO5) on Saturday bared major accomplishments in its all-out campaign against criminality and other forms of illegal activities in the Bicol region specifically the solution of nearly 79% of recorded crimes in the region in just one month.

PRO5 Director Brigadier General Rudolph B. Dimas said that out of the 1,719 crime incidents they investigated since last August 8, a total of 1,351 or 78.59% of the entire reported crimes had been “solved”.

A member of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Class 1992, Dimas was designated as PRO5 director by PNP (Philippine National Police) Chief Gen. Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr.

“We are being guided by Gen. Azurin’s principles of ‘Malasakit, Kaayusan, Kapayapaan tungo sa Kaunlaran.’” said the official in announcing the fruits of their unrelenting drive against criminality in Bicol.

According to the official, he has ordered all his provincial offices in Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Sorsogon, Masbate, and Catanduanes and the seven city police offices in Legazpi, Naga, Iriga, Tabaco, Ligao, Sorsogon and Masbate to intensify their anti-criminality campaign further.

“We are going all-out against drugs, illegal gambling, loose firearms, wanted persons, criminal gangs, and insurgency,” Dimas said.

Amid their crackdown on illegal drugs, the PRO5, in one month, launched 226 anti-narcotics operations which resulted in the arrest of 131 suspects and the filing of 189 cases for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 against the arrested suspects and the others who remained “at large”.

Dimas said that their month-long anti-drug operation led to the seizure of nearly two kilograms of shabu and 18 grams of dried marijuana leaves worth P13.4 million.

He added that his men also launched 109 operations against loose firearms which led to the arrest of 24 suspects and the killing of three others during gunbattles with officers. Those operations likewise resulted in the recovery of 111 illegal firearms, including 79 with expired licenses and now under the safekeeping of the local police.

The official said that 24 cases for violation of RA 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013 were also filed against the arrested suspects.

Dimas said that their all-out campaign against “most wanted persons” (MWPs) in the region also led to the arrest of 835 “lawbreakers” – five of them regional level MWPs; five from the provincial level; 18 in the city level; and 721 other wanted suspects.

Six most wanted crime gang members in the region were also neutralized, while two surrendered during the period. The Bicol Police director added that their anti-insurgency drive during the 4-week period led to the arrest of 21 known CPP/NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army) personalities; the surrender of 36 others, and the killing of five armed rebels following gunbattles with police operatives.

On the other hand, the Bicol police, since August 8, has launched 212 anti-illegal gambling operations, which netted 549 persons and P143,473 in cash bets. A total of 204 cases for violation of the anti-illegal gambling law have been filed against the arrested persons, Dimas said.

In line with the advocacy of Azurin, the PRO5, last September 10, also launched its “ROaD to K or Kaunlaran” or a bike for wellness and solidary in support of the PRO5 KASIMBAYANAN program.

Over 550 bike enthusiasts from the PRO5, their various stakeholders, and faith-based organizations joined the event.

Brig. Gen. Dimas said that the project represents the unit’s drive and commitment to attain peace, security, and progress through cycling activities which shall be implemented in the different provinces of the region together with partner agencies, community, and faith-based organizations.

“It is also a dual advocacy campaign promoting the benefits of cycling in one’s physical fitness and minimizing the chance for their involvement in the commission of crimes while forging [a] stronger partnership with stakeholders,” he explained.

Last August 19, the official also led the launching of Project T.A.N.G.L.A.W or the “Tabang sa Aki na Nangangaipo, Ginhawa asin Liwanag Ang maitatao para Wakasan ang pagtios, Giya sa Pag-asenso”.

He said that the project aims to assist children from underprivileged families in the region.

As of now, five children from Barangay Sagpon in Daraga, Albay, have been given school supplies, uniforms, shoes, and other basic needs in collaboration with the Tanglaw Diwa Café and SM Legazpi City.