CAMIGUIN (PIA)--Intensifying efforts to maintain peace and order in the province, the Philippine National Police (PNP) Camiguin Provincial Police Office recorded only 11 crimes for the fourth quarter of 2022, a 36% decrease from 2021's total of 30 crimes.
 
PCol Elias Hampac, PNP provincial director, said of the crimes recorded for this quarter, seven are index crimes and four are non-index crimes. Among the crimes committed in the province are murder (1) in Sagay, physical injury (2) in Catarman and Guinsiliban, rape (1) in Mambajao, and theft (3) in Mambajao.
 
PNP Camiguin also captured violators of illegal logging, gambling, and fishing. There were no reported cases involving illegal drugs.
 
This year, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-10 turned over the resolutions for the retention of drug-cleared barangays in Guinsiliban (July 21), Sagay (July 21), Mambajao (July 19), Catarman (July 19), and Mahinog (July 19). 
 
The "Balangay Seal of Excellence" was also awarded to the five towns of the province, February 7, declaring Camiguin as the first drug-cleared province in the country.
 
To step up efforts in maintaining a drug-cleared province and to celebrate the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week, PDEA-10 held an online orientation on the drug-free workplace program for the barangays of the province, November 22.
 
 
On protecting women, children
 
Provincial Prosecutor Lester Labiano said as of November 2022, there were 41 cases of child abuse and 22 cases of violence against women and their children (VAWC) in the province.
 
Of the total number of child abuse cases, five were recorded in Catarman, Guinsiliban (4), Mahinog (8), Mambajao (23), and Sagay (1). For VAWC, two cases were recorded in Guinsiliban, Mahinog (3), Mambajao (15), and Sagay (1).
 
In these situations, the Provincial Committee on Anti-Trafficking (PCAT)-VAWC always sends abuse victims to nearby residential care facilities while they wait for their court dates.
 
Gov. Xavier Jesus Romualdo also added that the provincial government will establish a residential care facility for the victims of abuse, including the conduct of a joint interview with the victim. (RTP/PIA-10/Camiguin)