Res Gestae
Promises and statistics
Six months ago, the region's police force welcomed a new Top Cop, Police Chief Superintendent Isagani Rife Cuevas, a native of Tanjay City, Negros Oriental and a member of prestigious Philippine Military Academy batch 1977. Cuevas served the region since 1979 with the defunct Philippine Constabulary until 2005 when he left to National Capital Region Police Office to get his star rank.
With a star on his shoulder, Cuevas went back to Western Visayas, now as Top Brass of the regional command. His come back brought about speculations. A local daily (not this paper) has even suggested controversy with its headline 'Cuevas, back to WV with vengeance'. This writer asked then, "with whom"?
The headlines in most local dailies (including this paper) following Cuevas' assumption to office seemed to answer my questions. But still I was not certain. This, I asked such as, "Was it Police Chief Inspector Rapiz?", or "Was it the police personnel who were alleged to have involvement in illegal drug trade in Iloilo City?", or, …
The possibilities were endless but noting the report released by Cuevas himself recently, I got a clearer answer. The report "PRO 6 has increased in crime solution efficiency" does not only indicate the peace and order status of the region; it also speaks eloquently and clearly of the reason why Cuevas is back in region 6.
Cuevas is back to combat crimes… to disprove his critics that his long stint in police service in Western Visayas is not essential in effecting change… in achieving reform in policing.
Based on reports, from period January to June 2008, Police Regional Office 6 has noted crime rates dropping significantly in reference to the data of same period last year. The crime volume for the period of 1,291 cases indicates a variance of 210 cases or 14% lower against the 1,501 cases in 2007.
The figure also revealed a 22.81% decrease in index crimes, while a slight increase 4.81% in non-index crimes. Those which are classified as index crimes are cases of murder, homicide, physical injuries, rape, robbery, and theft; while non-index crimes include petty crimes and violations of special laws.
Corollary to the remarkable decrease on crime incidents, PRO 6 has also achieved a crime solution efficiency of 95.43% compared to 94.60% of last year.
Well, as Cuevas said, these developments are credited to enhanced police visibility with the implementation of 7-9-7 duty shift, resulting to faster police response to emergencies and other calls for police assistance. These innovations have their own shares of criticism though, but Cuevas was determined that there was no other way out of the status quo. There has to be drastic changes and bold decisions to make. Hence, he pursued the program. He implemented the new duty shift amidst 'resistance' and closely monitored the presence of his men in the field.
Cuevas wanted Mamang Pulis and Aleng Pulis visible in the streets, terminals, and other areas of convergence. He sneaked at police stations in the wee hours of the night to check if his instructions were carried out. He was tireless and worked overtime. He wanted results and thus his reports.
Though it is still premature to conclude that Cuevas can lead PRO 6 in making a quantum leap in its accomplishments, it is but enough to consider that indeed his promises are now making statistics.
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