Baguio City crime rate up 3% in first five months of 2026

BAGUIO CITY — Crime incidents in Baguio rose by 3% in the first five months of 2026, driven mainly by an increase in property-related offenses, according to the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO).

Data presented during the second quarter joint meeting of the City Peace and Order Council and the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council showed 300 index and non-index crimes recorded from January to May, up from 292 during the same period last year.

While non-index crimes declined to 166 cases from 184, index crimes climbed 23% to 134 from 109. BCPO director Police Col. Ruel Tagel said the increase was largely due to theft, robbery and other property crimes, which mostly occurred late at night in areas without closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and during rush hours.

Tagel said most robbery and theft suspects were repeat offenders facing socio-economic difficulties. Motorcycle thefts, meanwhile, were usually reported at night in undesignated parking areas. Ongoing investigations also slightly pulled down the city’s crime solution and crime clearance efficiency.

To curb the rise in crime, the BCPO is redeploying personnel, stepping up inspections of business establishments, and recommending administrative action against establishments operating without functional CCTV systems.

Police are also working with barangay officials to monitor repeat offenders, expand the “Panag-aywan ti Kailyan 2.0” public safety program, intensify enforcement of local ordinances, and enhance investigators’ case monitoring and tracking through specialized training.