By Nanette Guadalquiver
BACOLOD CITY – The Police Regional Office – Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) logged fewer crime incidents anew in October, recording a 30.97 percent decline compared with the same month in 2025.
Crime situation data on Tuesday showed the region posted 595 cases last month, lower by 267 incidents from 862 in October 2025.
In a statement, PRO-NIR Director Brig. Gen. Rudecindo Reales said the reduction in the region’s crime rate reflects the measures being taken by the Philippine National Police to keep communities safe.
“However, this is no reason to become complacent. Our goal is not merely to reduce the crime rate, but to ensure the safety of every Negrense and to take immediate action on every reported incident,” he added.
Reales noted that the PRO-NIR continues to intensify police visibility, back-to-basics policing, and proactive crime prevention.
“I expect every police officer to demonstrate discipline, genuine concern, and dedication to duty,” he said.
PRO-NIR supervises the police offices of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, and Bacolod City.
In October, the major contributor was the 69.92 percent decrease in the public safety indicator, falling from 399 to 120 incidents, mainly driven by a 69.77 percent decline in vehicular incidents, from 397 to 120 cases.
“These figures reflect encouraging gains in road safety and the effectiveness of sustained efforts to prevent incidents that threaten public safety,” the PRO-NIR report stated.
Index crimes, or serious crimes that occur with sufficient frequency and regularity, decreased by 10.13, from 79 to 71 incidents.
The eight focus crimes declined by 7.79 percent, from 77 to 71 cases. These are rape, physical injury, robbery, theft, motor vehicle and motorcycle theft, homicide, and murder.
A similar trend has been recorded since July, or the start of the second half of 2026.
In September, total crime incidents decreased by 32.18 percent to 548 cases, dropping by 260 incidents from 808 in September 2025.
A decrease of 21.02 percent was noted in August as reported incidents dropped to 695 cases, from 880 cases in August 2025.
Also in July, the PRO-NIR posted a 38.89 percent crime reduction as most of the eight focus crimes monitored went down compared with the incidents in July 2025. (PNA)
