PNP: MOST CRIMES IN CV TOOK PLACE IN CEBU CITY

CEBU City had the highest number of crimes committed in the entire Region 7
for the first half of this year.

Of the total 6,472 crime incidents reported to the police, 3,837 crimes were
committed in Cebu City.

They said the figure, which was "already expected," constitutes more than
half of the total number of crimes committed in the region.

Despite this, the peace and order situation presented by Police Regional
Director Avelino Razon Jr. during the Regional Peace and Order Council
meeting showed that crime incidents "did not affect the prevailing peace and
order situation of the region."

"Central Visayas enjoys a relatively peaceful atmosphere as there are no
cases of notorious criminal syndicates that operate in the region," the
report stated.

Police reported that while there have been kidnapping incidents, these were
immediately solved and the perpetrators arrested.

The report showed that of the 6,472 crimes, around 3,882 are considered
index crimes, or those committed against persons, property and chastity,
with theft as the prevailing crime.

Of the total crime volume, 1,339 cases were solved.

DRUGS

The region's strategic location was also identified by police as one of the
factors why Central Visayas has become the transshipment point for most
illegal drug traders.

"Due to its being the center of trade and commerce of the south and its
numerous air, land and sea routes, Cebu has become a market for illegal
drugs as well as being considered as a transshipment hub of the region," the
report said.