MANILA: The crime rate in the Mimaropa region dropped 63.64 percent during the first week of August compared to the same period last year. Data from the Regional Investigation and Detection Management Division of the Police Regional Office-24B showed 52 reported crimes from Aug. 1 to 7, lower than 143 during the same period last year. Mimaropa is comprised of the provinces of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan. The campaign against wanted individuals netted 68, including 20 most wanted persons in the regional, provincial and municipal levels. Also arrested were 19 drug suspects while confiscated were approximately 54.62 grams of shabu worth an estimated PHP371,388. The operations against illegal logging recorded a total of 180 board feet of confiscated logs with an estimated value of PHP9,000. Fifteen were arrested in four anti-illegal gambling operations. All arrested suspects and recovered evidence were brought to police stations for further investigation, documentation and proper disposition. Source: Philippines News Agency