04/06/2026
LOOK: PRO NIR REPORTS 18.42% OVERALL DROP IN FOCUS CRIMES; MAY 2026 LOGGED LOWEST INCIDENCE IN FIVE MONTHS
The Police Regional Office – Negros Island Region (PRO NIR) has registered a significant 18.42 percent reduction in focus crime incidents from January to May 2026, with the peace and order situation reaching its safest point last month as only 62 cases were recorded — the lowest monthly figure in the first five months of the year.
Based on the latest crime statistics from the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division, the year started with 77 focus crime incidents in January, which slightly increased to 81 in February and peaked at 93 in March.
However, following the implementation of more robust security measures, police visibility, and targeted operations, numbers began to drop significantly: 76 incidents were logged in April, and this trend continued downward to just 62 cases in May, effectively reversing the earlier upward trajectory and hitting the period’s lowest mark.
When compared to the same month last year, the improvement is even more pronounced: May 2026 recorded 36 fewer cases, representing a sharp 36.73% decrease from the 98 incidents reported in May 2025.
Virtually all major crime categories posted substantial reductions: physical injuries dropped from 10 to only 3 cases; r**e incidents fell drastically from 31 to 9; robbery went down from 7 to 6; and theft incidents decreased from 18 to 10.
Most notably, motor vehicle carnapping was totally eliminated, with zero cases recorded this year compared to four incidents during the same period in 2025.
PRO NIR credited these impressive results to its multi‑pronged strategy, which includes intensified police presence in high‑risk areas, aggressive anti‑criminality and anti‑illegal drug operations, enhanced intelligence gathering and processing, and deeper collaboration with LGUs, civil society groups, force multipliers, and the general public.
“The steady decline in focus crimes, culminating in the lowest level recorded this May, is clear proof that our intensified campaigns, sustained visibility, and strong community ties are producing real, tangible results,” said PRO NIR Acting Regional Director Police Brigadier General Romano Cardiño.
“While we recognize that there is still work to be done and challenges remain, these gains inspire us to push even harder in our mission to protect lives, preserve peace, and ensure that every community across Negros Island Region remains safe, secure, and resilient against all forms of criminality," he said.
Cardiño said PRO NIR "will not be complacent and will continue to strengthen its crime prevention and law enforcement strategies."
In a statement on Wednesday, the regional police force vowed to maintain intelligence‑driven operations, expand police coverage, and deepen engagement with stakeholders to sustain the downward trend in criminality.
It added that PNP Police Regional Office Negros Island Region "remains fully committed to further improving public safety and fostering an environment where all Negrosanons can live, work, and thrive with confidence, security, and peace of mind."
