Reg’l PNP notes lowest Cordillera crime volume

BAGUIO CITY --  The Police Regional Office affirmed  a generally peaceful Cordillera during the yuletide season with crime volume down to all time low and no case of indiscriminate gun firing recorded.

PRO – Cordillera Regional Operations Management Division Chief PCol Homer Penecilla, in a Department of Health – led Kapihan media forum for the “Iwas Paputok” campaign, reported that for December 2019, there were 56 index crimes or crimes against person and property recorded in the region, a big decrease compared to the 145 cases recorded in December 2018.

Penecilla said crime volume had been on the down trend since 2016 and   reached all time low in the last three months of 2019, which he attributed to the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.

Campaign against illegal drugs in Cordillera has been very effective.  With the 1,176 barangays in the region, monitored for being drug – affected is down to 86.   79 of these were previously drug – cleared barangays but there are reports of illegal drug - listed personalities  returning to  the area, Penecilla said.

On the Iwas Paputok campaign in Cordillera, Department of Health – CAR Senior Health Program Officer Karen Lonogan reported 22 fireworks – related injuries monitored from December 21, 2019 to January 6, 2020, a 69 percent increase compared to the 13 cases recorded during the same period in 2018.

Abra recorded the most cases with nine, followed by Kalinga and Mountain Province with four each, Baguio City with three and Benguet with two cases.  Apayao and Ifugao have no or zero fireworks – related injuries recorded. 

As Lonogan expressed the health department’s gratitude to all their partners in the Iwas Paputok campaign, she also called  for  continuing convergence especially with local government units through the provision of local legislation against the selling and use of firecrackers for a  “zero” firecracker injury during Christmas and New Year celebrations. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)