NON-INDEX CRIMES UP, LAWAS SAYS

Violations involving the use of illegal drugs, illegal gambling and
LTO regulations have gone up more than 10 times last year compared to
the previous year.

From 224 in the year 2000, last year's non-index crime rose to 2,596
which could be an indication that the police are performing their
duties and responsibilities.

City PNP Chief Major Rey Lawas said that after a year-end evaluation
and assessment of their performances, there is a need to double their
efforts in the campaign against illegal gambling and illegal drugs.

From 18 barangays seriously affected by the drug problem during his
assumption into office, the number rose to 25 barangays, 10 of which
are threatened, meaning there are users but no pushers identified.

However, out of the 18 seriously affected, three were reduced to
threatened barangays. The increase was noted when the barangay
anti-drug abuse council submitted an integrated watchlist of drug
personalities.

Meanwhile, the Dumaguete City Police Station has listed at least three
major crimes in Dumaguete that made it to the top three crime stories
of 2001.

Lawas said the foiled robbery attempt at St. Paul College was among
the biggest police stories last year when two of the suspects were
killed in a shootout with responding police officers.

The robbery at Cebuana Lhuillier Pawnshop where the suspects carted
away P6 million in cash and jewelry was the second top story.

Easily topping them all is the murder of a public school teacher Naido
Chirivias in October of last year, where a son of a prominent
politician was allegedly involved.

Lawas, however, expressed surprise why no warrant has been issued for
the suspects of the pawnshop robbery, until now.