Manila: Average incidents of eight focus crimes, also known as index crimes, in Negros Island Region (NIR) decreased by 22.1 percent in 2025, data released by Police Regional Office (PRO-NIR) on Tuesday showed.
According to Philippines News Agency, based on the comparative crime statistics, 1,012 incidents were recorded last year, lower by 287 from 1,299 incidents in 2024. A marked decline was noted in six of the eight offenses, particularly murder, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, and motorcycle theft while homicide and motor vehicle theft recorded slight increases.
Murder dropped by 51 percent from 260 to 209 cases; physical injury, 78 percent from 201 to 123; rape, 78 percent from 349 to 262; robbery, 24 percent from 98 to 74; theft, 59 percent from 282 to 223; and carnapping/stealing of motorcycles, 3 percent from 37 to 34. Homicide increased by four percent from 80 to 84; and theft of motor vehicles by 2 percent from one to three incidents.
In a statement, PRO-NIR director Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay said the significant reduction in focus crimes indicates strengthened police operations, intensified crime-prevention strategies, and sustained community partnership across the region. "This is a clear testament to the discipline, dedication, and professionalism of our PRO-NIR personnel. Our police officers are not only enforcing the law, they are also actively preventing crime through visibility, intelligence, and close partnership with our communities," he added.
According to the PRO-NIR, the notable decreases in murder, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, and stealing of motorcycles show effective focused law enforcement efforts, visibility patrols, and intelligence-driven operations. Ibay said there is still room for improvement, adding that the PRO-NIR will continue to intensify crime-prevention programs, enhance investigation and case build-up work, strengthen inter-agency and community collaboration, and sustain the gains achieved in maintaining peace and order.
"Our direction is firm and uncompromising: proactive policing, swift justice, and zero tolerance for criminality. We owe this to the people of the Negros Island Region," Ibay said. PRO-NIR supervises the Bacolod City Police Office, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, and Siquijor Police Provincial Office.
