A YEAR since the implementation of Martial Law in Mindanao, the Police Regional Office (PRO 11) recorded a significant reduction of crime volume by 22 percent or 3,713 in the first quarter of 2018 as compared to the same period last year, which had 4,791.
Police Chief Inspector (PCI) Milgrace Driz, PRO 11 spokesperson said yesterday that the police officers in Davao region have stepped up security measures and several anti-criminality and terrorism efforts to ensure the public's safety and security amid threats.
Based on their record, index crime decreased by 25% while Non-index crime has gone down by 21 percent from the previous year. The Crime Clearance Efficiency increased 4 percent, the same with Crime Solution Efficiency.
"Indeed, in the past months up to present we have been helping running against terrorist, intensifying our campaign against loose firearms and other forms of anti-criminality efforts," Driz said.
Their operations against criminality and terrorism harnessed Operation Plan Kapkap, Oplan Bulabog, Oplan Sita that resulted to arrest of wanted persons and serving of search warrants.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the region claim that all these were done without violating human rights, contrary to claims by anti-government forces that martial law will increase HR violations.
"With the continuous effort of the units on the ground to run after criminals, evidently, that Martial Law has of great value to this effort of the Philippine National Police specifically here in Davao Region," she said.
On one hand, 10th Infantry Division (ID) Division Public Affairs Office (DPAO) chief Captain Jerry Lamosa challenged human rights groups accusing the government forces of abuses during the enforcement of Martial Law to file charges against specific persons.
"If there are abuses of their rights committed by the troops, we are open to discuss it. We will help you to file and talk this before the court," he said, adding that the martial law implemented in Mindanao is pro-people.
