Iloilo city: The newly-appointed acting chief of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) in Western Visayas, Brig. Gen. Randulf Tua±o, has committed to increasing police visibility as a strategy to enhance crime prevention efforts in the region.

According to Philippines News Agency, Brig. Gen. Tua±o announced during a press conference that the strategy, previously implemented in Metro Manila and other regional offices, resulted in a 42 percent decrease in focus crime incidents over the years 2024, 2025, and 2026. The focus crimes addressed by this strategy include murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, and the carnapping of vehicles and motorcycles.

Since the launch of the initiative on April 6, there has already been a 17 percent reduction in focus crimes within a span of just 45 days. Brig. Gen. Tua±o emphasized the public's desire to feel the presence of police officers on the streets and within communities and has tasked commanders to provide lists of areas where increased police presence is necessary.

In his statement, Brig. Gen. Tua±o outlined three primary objectives for the local police: preventing and controlling crimes, providing immediate solutions when crimes cannot be entirely prevented, and avoiding contributing to the problem if the first two objectives are not met.

He also assured that the initiatives put in place by his predecessor, Brig. Gen. Josefino Ligan, will continue under his leadership. Brig. Gen. Ligan, who has been promoted to deputy director of the Directorate for Operations at the national headquarters, noted the accomplishments of PRO-6 during his tenure, highlighting successful implementation of the Philippine National Police's core functions of crime prevention and solution.

Brig. Gen. Ligan expressed confidence in the 9,200 personnel of PRO-6, stating they have effectively maintained peace and order in Western Visayas during his leadership.