MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--The Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office (PPO) reported that the crime clearance and solution efficiency in its area of responsibility has significantly increased during the last three months of 2022.

In its video presentation during the 4th quarter Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting, the PPO bared that the crime clearance efficiency in Lanao del Sur province climbed to 74.10% this year from 68.75% last year while the crime solution efficiency also went up by 58.92% this year from 41.07% last year.

The police force stressed that they are doing their best to sustain the improving data of their office. 

“The Provincial Investigation and Detective Management branch in coordination with our lower units are continuously conducting case reviews, monitoring and conferences to maintain the upward trend of crime clearance and solution efficiency,” said the PPO.

The PPO revealed the crime volume in its area of responsibility where they showed that four of its eight focus crimes recorded a downtrend.

As posted, the murder cases in the province decreased from 16 incidents last year to 14 this year while the homicide also went down from four to two occurrences. On the other hand, tallied physical injury cases rested to two this year compared to six last year, and the rape incidents diminished from two to one event. 

Other focus crimes are robbery which spiked to three cases this year compared to a single incident last year, and carnapping which rose to two occurrences this year compared to only one last year. Meanwhile, theft which included the motorcycle units escalated as well to four incidents this year from zero cases last year.

Apart from these focus crimes, the PPO has also presented more accomplishments in its operation in the province, such as the confiscation of 69 loose firearms, arrest of 13 suspects with a warrant and 83 without a warrant, repossession of two motorcycles and one vehicle all stolen, recovery of gambling paraphernalia, the capture of illegally cut lumbers and smuggled cigarettes, and settlement of 31 ridos (family feuds), among others. 

Moreover, the PPO intensified its campaign against illegal drugs that resulted in the seizure of 1,353.008 grams of shabu amounting to P9,200,454.40. Also updated were the data on the drug-cleared barangays wherein three towns of the first district of the province were declared drug-free, namely, the municipalities of Kapai, Masiu and Piagapo. For the second district, four towns to include the municipalities of Calanogas, Kapatagan, Lumbatan and Madalum were announced as well as cleared of drugs. 

Likewise taking into consideration their documented success, the PPO affirmed the military’s pronouncement that Lanao del Sur province is generally peaceful.

It further conveyed that it does not, however, render its complacency as policemen still stand firm in safeguarding the entirety of the populace in the province.

“Although the province is enjoying its tranquility, this PPO is not taking any chances by employing and maintaining a proactive and aggressive stance against all forms of criminality in coordination and coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other security forces in the area,” said the PPO. (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)