CCPO claims error in crime statistics

CEBU, Philippines - After being told to explain the sudden increase of the crime rate in Cebu City, Senior Supt. Noli Romana, city police director, appeared before the Regional Police Office-7 and claimed that the crime statistics submitted to the regional headquarters was inaccurate.

Romana told Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas, chief of the Regional Investigation and Detection Management Division, that he will have it investigated to find out who was responsible in the submission of the erroneous report.

Romana reportedly claimed that there was a decrease in the crime rate in Cebu City based on his own record. If there was an increase, it should be very “slight increase.”

 â€œUnfortunately, based on the record that he has sent to us, there’s an increase,” Lawas explained.

Lawas reminded Romana that correcting the statistics is different from employing a strategy on the field.

“CCPO is the first police office that we sent a communication because we have observed the different police offices, Cebu City has the highest number of crimes,” Lawas said.

 â€œHe told me he’ll conduct an investigation. I told him I think it’s right and proper for you to conduct investigation in order to find out and resolve: one, to get the real crime situation and two, to prove if there is inaccurate reporting,” he added.

Lawas said the regional headquarters’ next move will depend on the result of the CCPO’s investigation report.

“Ato sa silang tagaan og higayon nga mo-imbistiga sa ilang kaugalingon, if dili sila ka-investigate then we will come in,” Lawas said.

Lawas said that CCPO has “to assess the situation and find ways and means to address the problem.” (FREEMAN)