By: RIC V. OBEDENCIO

Tagbilaran City was recently dubbed as “crime city” by listeners of a radio program apparently because of the rise of crime incidents in almost all barangays. Recent killings have been reported with a certain Carlito “Gerry” Bunado, 46, was gunned down by still unknown assailants on April 16 for unknown reasons. Also, an alleged drug pusher indentified as one Ringo Loquias, 38, a resident of Dauis met similar fate. Both have been added to city crime statistics. In his report to the media in Anda town, dubbed Talakayan Sa Isyung Pulis (TSIP), city police chief PSupt. Jovito Atanacio showed a trending (of increase) of crime volumes especially that the fiesta month is forthcoming. In his power-point presentation, Atanacio said that a total of 301 crimes were documented during the period January-March 2014. This is higher than 280 recorded in the same period last year. But police crime solution efficiency is boosted with 32% from 30% of the same period. Index crime stood at 95 in number (Jan-March 2014) than the previous of 85 during the same period while non-index crimes at 48 from 42.

Atanacio's report revealed that crimes against person reached only 16 (Jan-March 2014) lower than 31 during Jan-Mar 2013. Crimes against properties stood at 237 (Jan-March 2014), higher than 207 of same period last year. Crimes against persons include murder 3 from 1 of same period of last year; homicide, 2 from one; rape, 3 from zero; and physical injuries, 8 from 29. Crimes against property as: robbery at 65 in Jan-March 2014 from 54 during the period last year; theft, 132 from 126; and carnap, 40 from 27, Atanacio said. Police authorities here were able to conduct a total of seven (7) operations with 11 persons arrested suspected to be linked to illegal drugs and now facing nine (9) cases. Six operations against illegal gambling with 10 arrested and 7 cases filed in court; three operations in running after loose firearms with four (4) arrested and 3 cases filed; and two (2) operations against theft and robbery with three nabbed and one case filed in court.

The highest number of crimes is in Barangay Cogon with 90 and the lowest, one (1) in barangay Cabawan during the same period (Jan-March 2014), Atanacio's report bared. Poblacion II came in next with 83; Poblacion III, 21; Poblacion 1, (eleven) 11; Dampas, 32; Booy, 15; Ubujan, 4;  Bool, 2; Manga, 5; Mansasa, 5; Taloto, 5; Dao, 21; Tiptip, 2; and San Isidro, 3. Most of the crimes took place during Sundays (Jan-March 2014 period) with a total of 44, the police report said. Others are on Mondays with 38; Tuesdays, 32; Wednesday, 36; Thursdays, 31; Fridays, 28 and Saturdays, 28, Atanacio's said. TSIP is organized by the Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) led by Col. Dennis Agustin, police provincial director, in cooperation with the BPPO Press Corps and Philippine Information Agency. The forum was hosted by Anda Mayor Metodio “Dodong” Amper.